First Lady Rachel Ruto has urged leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to support school feeding programs, emphasizing their role in ensuring student retention, especially for needy children. She highlighted the challenges of educating a hungry child, noting that well-fed students are more attentive, active, and likely to perform better academically.
“Educating a hungry child is a challenging task; a well-fed child is more attentive, active, and likely to thrive in studies,” Mrs. Ruto stated. She called on both public and private sector players to channel resources towards financing such initiatives to improve education outcomes across the country.
In support of these efforts, Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono reiterated the government’s commitment to improving nutrition and food production in schools. He mentioned that the Ministry of Agriculture is providing capacity-building support to schools to enhance farming activities. These efforts align with the First Lady’s initiative and the 4-K Clubs, which promote agricultural skills among young learners.
As part of the strategy to boost food security, PS Rono highlighted the launch of the National Mama Kitchen Gardens in schools. This initiative aims to empower households, particularly women, to establish and maintain small kitchen gardens, thereby ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security at the grassroots level.
Additionally, Rono urged farmers to prepare for the upcoming planting season, assuring them of the government’s commitment to providing affordable and quality seeds and fertilizers. These measures are intended to enhance productivity and strengthen food supply chains within schools and communities.
Beyond school feeding programs, First Lady Rachel Ruto also addressed the pressing issue of alcoholism in the country. She called for a more holistic approach to combating illicit alcohol trade by incorporating dealers into legitimate businesses.
Mrs. Ruto emphasized that merely shutting down such businesses does not solve the problem but rather exacerbates economic hardship. Through her Joyful Women Organization, she pledged to provide training, capacity building, table banking, and other income-generating activities to help former illicit brew dealers transition into sustainable livelihoods.
Her call to action highlights a broader agenda of improving education, food security, and economic empowerment, reinforcing her commitment to building a stronger, healthier society.
