In an initiative championed by H.E President Dr. William Ruto, the Kenyan Government is rolling out a comprehensive school feeding program that will deliver nourishing, climate-smart meals to 10 million children by the year 2030, up from the current 2.3 million children.

As part of the initiative, the National Government is partnering with the 47 County Governments by providing a Matching Fund for every shilling allocated by a County Government for school feeding.

The incentive has led to the emergence of school feeding programs initiated by Counties across Country.

Environmental benefits of the school meals initiative are numerous, ranging from reduced food waste, promotion of biodiversity, and conservation of natural resources.

Economically, it fosters a robust, self-sufficient local food economy, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods.

Cabinet Secretary Hon Soipan Tuya today delivered the keynote address on behalf of Kenya’s First Lady H.E Mama Rachael Ruto at a high-level side event on ‘nourishing the planet, sustaining futures-reimagining school meals for planetary and children health’ on the margins of the ongoing United Nations COP28 in Dubai, The UAE.

The side event was organized by School Meals Coation, an initiative co-chaired by the Governments of France, Finland and Brazil. It is aimed at upscaling school meal programs across the world to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a healthy, nutritious meal in school by 2030