Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif of Mandera has expressed concerns over the theft and illegal sale of food designated for school children.
Speaking on Saturday during the launch of the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) school meals feeding program in Takaba, Mandera West, the Governor warned of stern action against anyone found diverting food meant for children in schools.
The governor highlighted the program's significance in addressing hunger and malnutrition among 27,000 students across 328 ECDE centres.
“This is one very important exercise that will go a long way in not only ensuring that school retention is achieved but also ensuring that the children do not study on an empty stomach,” he said.
He regretted that some school heads who were charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the food is safe are the same ones leading from the front in diverting it for their selfish gain.
“Unfortunately we have some people who have perfected the art of stealing and diverting relief food meant for the poor and most vulnerable in the society. These individuals should not be given a chance at all,” he said.
He added:
“We want to send a very strong message to potential offenders that the Mandera County government will not tolerate the theft and sale of relief food."
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between county government staff and security agencies to ensure that the food reaches those who need it the most – the vulnerable residents and students.
He called upon the security agencies to assist in conducting thorough searches of all shops and apprehending anyone found in possession of meals meant for schools.
"By working together with security agencies, they are determined to ensure that the aid reaches its intended recipients, thereby assisting the most vulnerable members of the community during these challenging times,” he said.
He said his administration was committed to providing holistic, coordinated and integrated quality ECDE services.
He said there was a need for a policy framework to provide guidelines and standards for improving the provision of quality ECDE services as stipulated in the Constitution.