Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel will no longer directly access their meal cash allowance after a directive from military leadership locked the funds under the newly implemented Pay-As-You-Eat (PAYE) system.
The directive aims to prevent service members from using the meal allowance, popularly known as ration cash allowance, as collateral for loans. It follows reports that some personnel have had to go without meals since the scrapping of the food subsidy programme.
The allowance was introduced in 2000 when breakfast and dinner provisions were abolished and has since been reviewed upward over the years to cushion service members against inflation.
Since the meal allowance forms part of gross pay, some personnel have used it to secure loans. However, a new internal memo obtained by the Nation instructs that the allowance be paid through Defence Savings and Credit Co-operatives Society (Desacco) and partially locked within the KDF Booking Meal App.
“Meal cash allowance be paid through Desacco in order to deter service personnel from committing it on loans,” the memo states. “Half of the allowance will be locked in the KDF Booking Meal App, and any unused balance can be released at the end of the month,” it adds.
Sources within the barracks revealed that the directive is likely to reduce the take-home pay of especially junior officers who rely heavily on the allowance.
KDF officially transitioned from the traditional exchequer-funded lunch programme to the PAYE system on July 1, 2025. The move has triggered disquiet, particularly among lower-ranking officers.
The Kenya Defence Forces.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The Ministry of Defence says the change aims to improve budgetary efficiency and promote individual meal choices. It insists the PAYE system will streamline operations and eliminate waste.
An internal memo dated June 23, 2025, and signed by Brigadier and Chief of Logistics Eric Nzioki confirms the formal rollout of the programme.
“Vide the above referred letter, the implementation of the subject program is scheduled to commence on 01 July 2025. In this regard, authority is granted for you to demand for Ration Scale (4) for 14 days wef (with effect from) 1st July 2025 for use as seed Capital for the program,” the internal memo dated June 23, 2025 states.
No more free lunch for KDF as govt ends State-subsidised program in military barracks
“Your demands to reach this headquarters not later than 25 June, 2025. Please note that it is envisaged the proceeds of the seed capital will form a self-sustaining revolving fund to be administered by the PAYE management committees established at Fmn/Base/Unit levels to oversee operation of the messing facilities,” the document adds.
This is not the first attempt to roll out the system. Past efforts were abandoned due to resistance from service members. However, KDF leadership maintains that the food subsidy programme has been riddled with leakages and inefficiencies that cost taxpayers.
To ensure a smoother rollout this time, the military has outlined implementation guidelines. Service commanders have been instructed to prioritise upgrading messing facilities in the second half of the 2024/2025 fiscal year with additional improvements planned for 2025/2026.
A memo dated January 17, 2025, outlines specific action points including the establishment of management committees at formation and unit levels and the adoption of secure, cashless payment systems such as mobile Paybill numbers and PDQ machines.
The document also emphasises the need for a thorough risk analysis and requires regular progress updates to Defence Headquarters, with a status report due by February 15, 2025.
In a previous response to Nation enquiries, the Ministry of Defence said the reform aligns with regional and global military best practices.
It clarified that the new system only applies to personnel in peacetime locations. Troops in active operations or training will continue to receive traditional food rations.
KDF personnel outside Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on November 21, 2024 where President William Ruto delivered the State of the Nation address.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
It is important to note that the implementation of the new lunch feeding system will only affect Kenya Defence Forces service personnel in peacetime locations. Personnel in operations and on training will not be affected, as they will continue with their entitled scales,” the ministry said in response to our enquiries.
The PAYE model, according to the Ministry, will eliminate these inefficiencies and free up funds to improve the messing infrastructure, acquire catering equipment, and clear pending food supply bills.
