Via a Motion moved by Hon. Cynthia Akinyi, the House resolved that the CECM develops the policy within 30 days and further propose measures to sustain the programme in order to ensure that ECDE children are maintained in schools for effective learning and early strong foundation.

While moving the Motion, Hon. Akinyi noted that school meals remain a core development intervention to support the county’s achievements in the education sector and divulged that early childhood education enrollment rates have been found to be higher in centers providing meals.

She added that school meals are an important safety net for the vulnerable children from food insecure households in the county and have the multiple benefits of increasing ECDE enrollment and attendance as well as significantly contributing to the reduction of hunger and nutritional intake.

Supporting the Motion, East Ugenya MCA, Hon. Fredrick Omoro, averred that a seamless school feeding programme will provide poor families with a strong incentive to send their children to school, thus directly contributing to the growth of the county.

South Uyoma MCA, Hon. Michael Omondi, noted that investing in nutrition and education during early childhood will break the cycle of malnutrition and help children to reach their full potential and become productive adults.

Central Gem MCA, Hon. Sylas Madingu, avowed that school meals also promote the consumption of diversified diets while enhancing local economic development.

Central Alego lawmaker, Hon. David Ragen, noted that though some Wards within the county have adopted Ward based initiatives for ECDE school feeding programmes, lack of policy guidelines may have resulted in an unstructured and erratic implementation of the program.