Activists have threatened to hold demonstrations againstgovernment's proposal to scrap off school feeding programme in Asal and informal settlements.
Tunza Mtoto Coalition Executive Director Janet Ouko said the fact that the National Treasury has not allocated any funds for the programme in the next financial year is a big red flag.
“This is not acceptable and we are organising protests to protect the programme,” she said.
Ouko cautioned the government against undoing programmes that have worked.
“Since 1980, all feeding programmes for Asal and marginalised regions have existed. Research backing such targeted programmes is available," she said.
"Denying those children food will seriously affect their existence in schools and education."
Ouko said moving the programme to another ministry will also not work.
She accused the current regime of being obsessed with cut down education funding, which started with capitation.
North Eastern Kepsha chairperson Hassan Farah said the proposal is as good as closing the schools.
“The nomadic child is currently attracted and retained in school to school by the feeding programme. Many children in Asal areas will not attend school if there is no lunch,” he said.
National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa said the proposal will affect the 100 per cent transition.
“They are telling parents to take care of their children on their own and this might lead to some dropping out,” he said.
When a children drops out of school, they are exposed societal vices such as crime and drug abuse and cultural vices such as early marriages.
Obuhatsa urged the government to reconsider the proposal and retain the feeding programme.
“The programme should remain in the Ministry of Education, which oversees all school activities,” he said.
Obuhatsa said the government ought to have informed parents and other stakeholders before withdrawing the programme.
Kuppet secretary general Akelo Missori said Kenyans are currently witnessing the biggest rollback in social spending in history.
He faulted the government for increasing school fees for universities, delaying Helb loan disbursements and doing away with EduAfya health insurance.
He also accused the state of remitting inadequate capitation to schools.
“The most disheartening in the scrap of the feeding programme which is the latest in a long list of austerity measures by the government, disadvantaging Kenyans, particularly learners in Asal regions and informal settlements,” Missori said.
The feeding programme was allocated Sh4.9 billion in the last financial year, which turned out to be inadequate.
Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang sought an additional Sh1 billion in the supplementary budget for the programme.