- The programme has been moved to National Disaster Management Authority.
- PS Belio urged MPs to reinstate the funds.
Image: FILE
MPs have moved to intervene in a case where two state agencies are tussling over Sh3 billion school feeding programme.
The billions meant to discourage school dropout in Arid and Semi-Arid areas, was controversially moved from the Ministry of Education to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The project was previously managed under the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya.
The programme also targets specific poverty-stricken counties including learners in the informal settlements, by providing meals to encourage retention and curb school dropouts.
The intervention has been operational in 26 marginalised counties
The changes are contained in the Supplementary Budget I being processed by Parliament.
In the current financial year, school feeding programme had an allocation of Sh3 billion.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang told MPs that the move was irregular and the status quo should be maintained.
He was speaking early this week when he appeared before the National Education Committee to defend the ministry’s budget.
The PS argued that being an educational package, there is need to have it domiciled in the state department for proper alignment with other educational programmes.
“This being a key priority intervention in the education sector, we request for reinstatement to be able to cater for the targeted school going children within the school calendar,” Belio told MPs.
The committee is chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly.
MPs sitting at the committee questioned why the programme transfer was sneaked in the supplementary budget.
They also demanded answers on the capability of NDMA to oversee such an exercise compared to the ministry which has well established structures.
“Were you consulted before the policy shift of moving the school feeding programme from Education to ASAl?” Melly posed.
Narok MP Rebecca Tonkei demanded that the committee summons National Treasury to explain why the billions were moved from the education docket.
Tonkei said the transfer is suspect and may lead to high school dropouts in marginalised areas.
“We actually need answers from the National Treasury on why the school feeding programme was moved,” Tonkei said.
Mandera North MP Haro Ebrahim wondered how such a major policy switch could be done through a supplementary budget.
Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi also faulted the transfer saying only Education ministry has all the requisite structures to ensure deserving cases are addressed.
Belio also informed the Melly-led committee that the programme has a Sh2.4 pending bill from last financial year as a result of exchequer issues.
“It is imperative to note that the programme has a pending bill of Sh2.4 billion from last financial year arising from lack of exchequer,” Belio said.
“Consequently, this will form the first charge in the FY 2024/25 budgetary allocation in line with the PFMA Act, 2012.”