Nationwide School Meals Programme Set to Expand

Kenya has announced plans to introduce a nationwide school meals programme in 2027 to improve child nutrition, support vulnerable families, and expand access to education.

“It requires us to build a system that gives every Kenyan family confidence that when adversity comes, the nation will stand with them,” says President William Ruto, emphasising the government’s commitment to stronger social protection.

The programme is scheduled to begin in the first school term of 2027, with plans to reach learners across all 47 counties, although the number of participating schools has yet to be confirmed. Currently, around 2.6 million children receive school meals, with the government aiming to expand coverage to 10 million by 2030. The initiative will include lower primary, upper primary and junior secondary pupils, while a locally sourced food model could also benefit farmers and rural communities. Feeding 10 million children is estimated to cost approximately 40 billion Kenyan shillings annually.