A significant policy shift is set to transform daily life for Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) personnel in peacetime barracks. Beginning Tuesday, July 4, soldiers will transition from a decades-old state-subsidized lunch program to a new “pay as you eat” system.
While the Ministry of Defense frames this as a move towards efficiency and modernization, it marks a radical change that many rank-and-file soldiers perceive as an added financial burden.
According to media reports, the Ministry of Defense asserts that the decision to scrap the extra car-funded lunch program has been necessitated by the need to streamline budgetary allocations and enhance the efficient use of government resources.
The Ministry highlighted several perceived failings of the old system. It was deemed not cost-effective, lacked flexibility of time, and did not improve the convenience of feeding places.
“The decision to transition from extra car funded lunch program for service members to pay as you eat has been necessitated by the need to streamline budgetary allocations, efficiency in the use of government resources, facilitating access to a variety of meals that suit individual preferences and alignment to best military practices both regionally and internationally,” the Ministry of defense stated.
Furthermore, the previous arrangement was criticized for leading to loss of working hours due to long queues, and causing duplication of ration scales when personnel were urgently deployed to different camps.
The new “pay as you eat” system, according to the Ministry, aims to facilitate access to a wider variety of meals and align Kenya’s military practices with regional and international best standards.
According to reports, this radical shift has sparked considerable unease, particularly among junior officers. Many are already grappling with significant financial obligations, including loans, and express fears that the new plan might force them to skip meals altogether.
Whether this move delivers better value or breeds quiet discontent within the ranks remains to be seen. It is important to note that not all KDF personnel will be affected by this change. The “pay as you eat” system applies exclusively to service members stationed in peacetime locations. Personnel engaged in operations or training will continue to receive their entitled meal scales without disruption.
To cushion soldiers from the immediate impact, the Ministry of Defense stated that funds saved from ending the lunch subsidy will now be redirected to fix existing kitchens and cover food bills.
by moses sagwe
