The government has assured that it is responding decisively to the ongoing drought through measures aimed at cushioning learners and enhancing school retention in affected areas.
Speaking in Samburu County while flagging off the distribution of relief food supplies to Day Mixed Secondary Schools across the county’s four constituencies, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Cheptumo said the government had data on affected learners and had put targeted interventions in place to support vulnerable children.
The CS, accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Children’s Welfare, Carren Ageng’o, said the ministry is rolling out an Emergency Support and Mentorship Programme that will see more than 26,000 secondary school students in 137 public schools receive free lunches.
The intervention, implemented by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, a national emergency response and child rescue organisation under the State Department for Children Services, she said, forms part of the government’s broader commitment to safeguarding children’s right to education during emergencies.
“The Government is responding decisively to the ongoing drought by supporting children in school and enhancing school retention. We have data and we will ensure no child drops out,” she said.
While acknowledging that the future of any nation lies in its children, Cheptumo said her priority would be child protection, citing key education barriers such as teenage pregnancies, child labour, among others, that she promised to tackle.
She further emphasised the need to address the issue of street children through rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
Through the feeding programme, thousands of learners in select counties have benefited, which CWSK says plays a critical role in improving school attendance, retention, concentration, and overall academic performance.
In addition to receiving free lunches, the learners have also been provided with mentorship support aimed at enhancing their mental health and overall well-being.
CHILD LABOUR
So far, 1,128,735 children have been reached through the implementation of 120 programmes by Child Welfare.
Notably, in 2024/2025, CWSK identified and prevented 84,456 children from the worst forms of labour, a challenge that remains a major cause of school dropout.
A further 156,000 people affected by drought, floods and other emergencies were assisted while 169,000 had received education support services including having their school fees paid and learning materials.
Food distribution is currently ongoing simultaneously in Mukurweini and Alego Usonga in Nyeri and Kisumu counties, where JSS learners have been earmarked. Schools in Kitui and Elgeyo Marakwet have also benefited.
The rollout of the meal programme was conducted alongside the unveiling of Children’s Assemblies aimed at advocating for and better addressing issues affecting children, in line with the Children’s Act.
“We will establish children’s assemblies in all counties and schools to enable meaningful child participation by giving them a platform to express their views,” said PS Carren Ageng’o.
