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{
    "id": 1198980,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1198980/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 206,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Emuhaya, ANC",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Omboko Milemba",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The cost was approximated to be Kshs1 billion per week and when Parliament calculated it, they thought it was not really possible to have the programme running. The truth is that this programme can be confronted just the same way we confronted the free primary education and subsidised secondary school education, if this Parliament will have its voice on it. I also wish to indicate that the Kenya Government currently has some interventions on the school feeding programme through the Ministry of Education. Currently, the Ministry, together with other partners, is able to provide food in 10 counties. This is to all students mainly in the ASAL areas like Makueni and other regions which most Members are aware of. They are providing food all the way from Grade One to Class Eight. They also provide fortified porridge to young children in those areas. There has also been an attempt by the Kenya Government to provide the same programme in informal sectors. Just to mention, in Nairobi, we have Mathare and Kibera. I can even widen and mention Kisumu where Obunga is receiving part of these foods. In Kakamega, we have the Amalemba area. As you know, I have a background in education. The Kenya Government is trying to do something to provide meals in schools. What is the cost? Currently, the Government is using a budget of Kshs1.8 billion to do what I have just talked about. This shows very clearly that it is possible to achieve this if this House pronounces itself on this matter and forces that the Government provides a budget for school feeding. What would be the advantages of school feeding? I will take you to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which envisaged that by the year 2015, every learner in primary and basic education will be able to finish their education, whether a girl or a boy. Currently, most of the girls drop out because they have to be engaged in domestic chores in food production. The boys are also engaged in issues of livestock keeping. Therefore, if this good Motion is pronounced by this Parliament, we shall safeguard all the students in schools. So, we will retain them in school and they will transit 100 per cent. All the students who go to primary school must transit to secondary school. More so, remember in the Education Act, basic education is not only free, but is supposed to be compulsory. So, this is a programme that will ensure students are in school. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have had my own experience with the school feeding programme. I must acknowledge Hon. Aseka who tutored me into these things. In my own constituency, we use partners and other sources to provide lunch for students in schools, especially the candidates. It is working for me and is popular. I want to tell this House that it has increased transition and also attendance. For instance, in 2017, the candidates in Class Eight were only about 2,000. The number of candidates last year rose to 3,400 because of the school feeding programme. Therefore, I want to urge this House to support this Motion and the Government to create a budget for the feeding programme in our schools. Hon. Deputy Speaker, because I want many Members to contribute to this Motion, I will not go on. This is a matter that is with us in our constituencies. You can feel it because you see hungry students going back to school after taking plain water only. Hon. Deputy Speaker, I beg to second."
}