Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Monday, January 5 morning joined cooks and staff at Muthangari Primary School to help prepare meals for learners as public schools opened for the first term of 2026.
Dressed in an apron, the governor took part in the late-night cooking process and interacted with cooks, emphasising the county’s commitment to ensuring the Dishi na County programme is fully operational from day one of the term.
Sakaja said his visit was aimed at confirming that all systems were in place for the programme, which feeds more than 316,000 learners in over 230 public primary schools across all 17 sub-counties of Nairobi. He assured parents and learners that no child would miss a meal as the term begins.
“As schools reopen today, I am happy that it is all systems go for this programme. Children are opening school to a hot, nutritious meal in all our public schools,” Sakaja said.
Meal preparation under Dishi na County begins as early as 9pm and runs through to 4am, after which food is transported to schools across the city, with lunch served at 12:30pm. The Governor commended the programme’s workforce, noting that more than 5,000 workers operate across the system to ensure meals are prepared and delivered on time. He said the initiative is central to improving school attendance, concentration and overall learning outcomes.
“When a child is assured of a hot, nutritious meal every school day, attendance improves, concentration rises and learning truly begins, that is the promise of Dishi na County,” Sakaja said.
The governor reiterated the programme’s impact, noting that learners receive the meals at a subsidised cost of KSh5 per meal.
“This is more than food; it is dignity, focus and opportunity served on a plate. For many children, this meal is the difference between staying in class or dropping out, between concentration and hunger, between hope and despair,” he added.
Under Dishi na County, meals are prepared through 17 central kitchens, ensuring quality, hygiene and efficiency. County officials say the initiative has significantly improved attendance and classroom concentration while easing the burden on families. By the end of last term alone, more than 60 million meals had been served.
As schools reopen, the county reaffirmed a simple but powerful pledge: no child should have to choose between education and an empty stomach. The message echoed across school grounds on day one of the term Watoi watadishi, watashiba, watasoma children will be fed, they will be satisfied, and they will learn.
By
Michael Majanga
