The High Court has rejected a lawsuit challenging the Nairobi County Government’s ‘Dishi Na County’ school feeding program. Justice Mwita, in a ruling issued on Friday, stated that stopping the program would not serve the best interests of the children.
“It was for the welfare of the children that the program was initiated. We can’t halt it. We will be running away from the issues affecting the children,” Mwita noted.
In a legal challenge brought by the lobby group ‘Tunza Mtoto Coalition Kenya’ against the Nairobi County Government’s ‘Dishi Na County’ school feeding program for public primary school students, the High Court has dismissed the case.
The coalition argued that the program, aimed at providing meals to students, encroached on national government jurisdiction since education is a national function.
Jane Ouko, the Executive Director of Tunza Mtoto Coalition, contended that the feeding program was unlawful. However, the County Government, represented by lawyer Duncan Okatch, refuted these claims, asserting that all necessary legal procedures were adhered to before the program’s launch.
Following the court’s decision, which upheld the legality of the feeding initiative, the County Government expressed satisfaction with the ruling, describing it as a validation of their efforts to enhance educational outcomes in the county.
Suzanne Silantoi, the County’s CEC for Health and Nutrition said: “This ruling is so significant for the children of Nairobi because the courts have validated the efforts of Nairobi County in putting in an investment in the children of Nairobi who had been forgotten for a very long time.”
She added: “Currently we are feeding about 200,000 children in public ECDE and primary schools across the county. We look to expand the scope of our work and complete and complete all public primary schools by September 2024.”
The program is a partnership between Nairobi County and Food4Education, a non-profit organization that also operates in other counties, including Muranga and Mombasa.
