The Education Ministry informed the National Assembly committee on implementation that the National Treasury has reduced the school feeding program budget by Ksh.2.3 billion. Education PS Belio Kipsang disclosed this to the MPs on Tuesday during their session chaired by Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala.
Kipsang noted that the school feeding program had received additional budgetary allocations in previous years but experienced a reduction for the 2024-2025 Financial Year.
“In the school feeding, we received Ksh.1.96 billion in the 2022/ 2023 Financial Year. We also received Ksh.5.4 billion in the 2023 /2024 Financial Year. But this time round we have a reduction and now we have been allocated Ksh.3 billion,” PS Belio Kipsang told MPs.
Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba raised concerns about the reduction in the school feeding budget and questioned whether this would result in food rationalization for learners. He expressed worry about the potential impact on students. In response, the Ministry of Education assured the committee that ongoing discussions with the Treasury are aimed at reviewing the allocation under the supplementary budget. Education PS Belio emphasized that there are no plans to withdraw food benefits from learners.
Currently, the school feeding program is benefiting 2.6 million children, primarily from arid and semi-arid regions as well as city slums.
