- •The signing was between the Governor and Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and was witnessed by Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u.
- •The Agreement shall take effect as of July 17, 2023 for a period of three years.
Image: NCCG
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s Dishi Na County programme gained momentum after he signed an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement with the National government on implementation of school meals plan in Nairobi.
The Sh1.7 billion agreement sets forth the terms of understanding between the parties in the implementation of the school meals programme in public primary schools in Nairobi.
The signing was between the governor and Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and was witnessed by Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u last week.
The agreement shall take effect as of July 17, 2023, for a period of three years.
Incase of any renewal, it can be done so only for a further period of three years.
Under the IPA, Nairobi County will be responsible for undertaking the day-to-day running of the school meals programme in all public primary schools within Nairobi county.
“Nairobi County government will also provide at least one adequate meal of acceptable quality daily to all learners within public primary schools during school days,” reads the agreement.
Still under the agreement, the Sakaja-led administration will be responsible for ensuring monies earmarked for the programme are ring-fenced and timely payment to suppliers and service providers made to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
“The Nairobi county government will also develop the requisite infrastructure for the preparation, transportation, distribution and serving of hot meals to the learners in a timely manner that does not hinder other school programmes,” reads the agreement.
On its side, the National government will provide budget for the implementation of the programme as per the financing framework as well as monitor and evaluate the implementation of this agreement.
“It will also issue ministerial directives and guidelines to school heads, managers and other administrators requiring them to cooperate and coordinate with the staff of the Nairobi City County government and those of other programme implementing partners and agencies,” reads the agreement.
For joint responsibilities, the National government and City Hall shall establish a joint committee to, inter-alia, spearhead the implementation of the programme and submit regular reports and advisories to the two levels of government.
Both governments will also develop a risk mitigation strategy to ensure sustainability of the programme to boost it, both governments are allowed to enter into other agreements with third parties, partners and or donors to achieve better performance of this agreement.
To ensure there is no misuse of funds, public funding for the programme shall be drawn from both the Consolidated Fund and the County Revenue Fund.
The public funding for the programme shall also be on a 50:50 basis, between the City Hall and the National government.
“The parties shall, in consultation with the National Treasury, prescribe a framework in respect of the programme, for planning and budgeting resource mobilisation, funding arrangements, management and accounting for the funds,” reads the agreement.
If City Hall or the National government feels like terminating the agreement, either party can issue a three months’ written notice.
However, the termination of the agreement shall be without prejudice to any accrued rights and obligations as of the date of termination.
The project is likely to face hurdle after a case was filed in court challenging it early this month.
Tunza Mtoto coalition moved to court arguing that it's not the mandate of a devolved unit.
The matter will be mentioned on July 27, 2023, for directions.
Image: PCS
Sakaja launched the school feeding programme dubbed Dishi Na County last month.
Already, construction of mega kitchens in 10 subcounties—Dagoretti North, Embakasi Central, Embakasi South, Kasarani, Kibra, Makadara, Starehe, Roysamu, Ruaraka and Westlands —here food will be prepared and the children served is ongoing.
Parents/ guardians will be required to pay Sh5 per plate of food while the county government will foot the rest of the cost, of Sh25, per child, per day.
The programme targets to feed about 250,000 children in Nairobi enrolled in public primary schools and public Early Childhood Development Education centres.
Each kitchen is expected to produce about 10,000 nutritional meals daily which will be distributed across each ward.
Sakaja noted that the county will collaborate with parents to fund the meals.
This will get 650gramms of nutritious food and a fruit with each meal.
The food will be served to the learners in the various schools on time during lunch hour, every school day.
To ensure food safety, the staff will all be screened and issued with a food handler’s certificate.
City Hall has also pledged that fresh food will be cooked daily for the learners and the cleanliness of the kitchens and cooking will be supervised and inspected by county’s public health officers to ensure safety and quality.
“The Nairobi City County nutritionists will formulate balanced meals to suit the children’s nutrient needs for growth and development,” Sakaja added.