Mombasa County government introduces free milk in schools

Over 28,336 school children are now covered by the  free school milk programme initiated by the Mombasa county government.

The programme, county officials say, has led to a fall in the number of pupils dropping out of school.

Governor Hassan Joho's administration says a 200ml packet of milk is distributed to each pupil in the 97 public schools of the county every week day.

County executive for education and children Tendai Lewa said the programme had mitigated the effects of hunger among pupils many of who had been fainting in schools frequently due to hunger.

"Most pupils come in without having taken anything at home and the packet of milk keeps them going. This has ceased fainting of pupils due to hunger," said Mr Lewa in an address to the county assembly.

Lewa said beneficiaries of the school milk programme are from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Standard Three in 97 public schools in the six sub counties of the county.

Lewa argued that the retention of children in school had improved with less absenteeism and high enrollment being observed.

"The milk programme is part of the school feeding programme in line with the department's policy statement of dignified care for every child in Mombasa.

Lewa had been summoned to brief the assembly on the status of the programme last week. The session was presided over by Speaker Thadius Rajwayi.

County secretary Hamisi Mwaguya recently said the government had invested about Sh56 million a year in the programme.

TITLE DEEDS

"We have launched the school milk programme to boost the health of our children up to Standard Three, throughout the county," Mr Mwaguya had said.

Lewa also said his department has compiled a list of 96 schools to be issued with title deeds.

He said his department is working closely with the department of lands and the National Land Commission to secure title deeds for the schools.

"We have set aside Sh4 million to accomplish this task during the 2015 to 2016 financial year," he said.

He also told the county assembly that the county government had distributed bursaries amounting to Sh49 million to 5,687 students from schools, tertiary colleges and universities.