City Hall has defended its Dishi na County school feeding programme, saying all its dealings are transparent despite concerns raised by the Auditor General.
The programme initiated by Governor Johnson Sakaja currently provides meals to over 316,000 learners in more than 230 public schools across the city’s 17 subcounties.
The learners pay Sh5 per meal. This month, the programme is celebrating a milestone, serving its 33 millionth meal.
Health and Nutrition executive Suzanne Silantoi said the programme operates within contractual and policy guidelines, feeding the highest number of learners ever recorded in the county.
She said the programme operates within a structured subsidy model.
“The Sh25 per plate paid by the county aligns with the contract, while the additional Sh5 contributed by parents was authorised in the tender’s terms of reference,” Silantoi said.
The Auditor General had flagged alleged overpayments to Food for Education (F4E), the programme’s implementing partner.
The absence of a formal agreement for the pilot phase before the contract was signed was also flagged “In October 2022, the county formally requested F4E to design and pilot a school feeding programme at no cost to the county. There is written evidence of this request, which was provided to the Auditor General during the audit process,” Silantoi said.
The pilot ran during the third term from August to November, and the contract with F4E officially entered into on December 5, 2023.
The Auditor General also queried a Sh145.7 million grant from the French Embassy, intended to provide meals for vulnerable children.
Silantoi said the grant was awarded directly to F4E, which was contracted by the French government.
“The county’s role is limited to monitoring beneficiary numbers and school distribution, while financial reporting remains the sole responsibility of F4E,” she said.
Silantoi also defended the procurement process for school kitchen construction, stating that evaluation score sheets were signed and documented.
“This evidence was provided to the Auditor General.”
The county government maintains that financial management of the Dishi na County programme remains above board, with payments and procurement processes conducted within contractual agreements.
The county maintains that the initiative is a success, ensuring affordable meals for thousands of learners across the city.
