Naivasha: Over 1,500 pupils from informal settlements in Naivasha are set to receive free school meals, thanks to a new initiative by VegPro Group, a leading vegetable and fruit exporter. The company has pledged Sh500,000 per month to sustain the program, ensuring students have access to nutritious meals thrice a day.
According to Kenya News Agency, this announcement follows the unveiling of a Sh6 million modern kitchen and dining facility at Naivasha Lakeview Primary School, which serves pupils from Kihoto and Karagita informal settlements. The initiative aims to boost school attendance, as economic hardships have forced many children to drop out of school due to a lack of food, with most of their parents working for low-wage-paying flower farms.
VegPro’s Head of Sustainability, Purity Njue, stated that the company is committed to supporting the program in partnership with the local community and law enforcement, who will provide a steady water supply to the school. ‘VegPro has invested in the construction of a modern kitchen and dining facility and will continue to provide three meals a day for all 1,500 pupils,’ Njue said. She added that the company is also extending its support to Shermoi Primary School and Nanyuki Special School as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment.
Local Viwandani MCA, Alex Mbugua, praised the initiative, emphasizing that the feeding program would encourage school enrollment and curb child labor, particularly among children forced into fishing at Lake Naivasha to support their families. ‘This noble initiative should inspire Nakuru County to implement similar programs for underprivileged pupils across the county, targeting mostly children from underprivileged households,’ Mbugua urged. He also noted that the county is already providing free porridge to over 800 learners in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) facilities in his ward, thanks to funding from the Nakuru County government.
Naivasha Lakeview Primary School headteacher, Hannah Wanjiru, applauded VegPro’s ongoing support, which has included constructing classrooms, desks, and the continuous supply of foodstuffs materials. ‘This program will not only benefit our pupils but will also extend support to street children in the area,’ Wanjiru said, expressing optimism that more children from informal settlements would enroll.
The initiative is also a wake-up call for the county and area constituency office to speed up the implementation of such noble initiatives that aim to harness the potential of bright children from underprivileged households. Already, members of parliament from various constituencies have put in place policies targeting feeding programs for thousands of learners. For instance, Kiharu MP in Murang’a, Ndindi Nyoro, has committed to parents in his constituency that all students studying in day schools will pay a paltry Sh1,000 per term, while other expenditures will be catered to from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in addition to free meals.