The West Pokot government has pledged to sustain a feeding programme that benefits over 76,000 learners across the county.
Governor Simon Kachapin said the county will continue the implementation of its Sh25 million ECDE school feeding programme to ensure good health for the learners.
Kachapin spoke when he flagged off distribution of 100 tonnes of fortified porridge flour to support 76,019 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners across the county.
The exercise, which took place at the Emergency Operations Centre grounds in Kapenguria, also saw Kachapin flag off the distribution of another 3,330 ECDE chairs.
The governor reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to strengthening ECDE through school feeding programmes, infrastructure development, teacher training, and digital learning initiatives.
“ECDE is the foundation in the lives of our young learners, and that is why I will ensure we sustain the feeding programme and also the expansion of facilities,” Kachapin said.
He noted that the county interventions are already bearing fruit, with West Pokot now recording the highest ECDE enrolment in the country following sustained investment in the sector.
Since 2022, enrolment has increased by 5,566 learners as more children continue to remain in school.
“We are also asking our parents to ensure that all children are in schools right from ECDE to colleges. No child should be denied education,” the governor said.
So far, the county has distributed a total of 470.2 tonnes of fortified porridge flour at a cost of Sh105 million under the programme.
Kachapin said more than 1,200 ECDE teachers have been trained through partnerships with UNICEF, Action Against Hunger, and the Daughters of Charity Sisters. The trainings are aimed at strengthening the delivery of Competency-Based Education and early childhood development programmes.
Kachapin said the county will employ more tutors for the ECDE units because of the increased enrolment. County executive for education Rebecca Kide said they have distributed 1,213 digital learning devices benefiting over 15,300 learners under the EIDU programme.
In addition, more than 600 ECDE classrooms and sanitation facilities have been constructed across the county to enhance learning environments.
Kachapin urged parents, teachers, and communities to remain vigilant in protecting children amid rising cases of child disappearance and abuse reported in different parts of the country.
