Governor Mike Sonko Launches Free Milk Feeding Programme for School-going Kids in Nairobi

Governor Mike Sonko has launched free milk feeding program for school going kids in Nairobi.

In the first phase of the program undertaken in partnership with Kenyan dairy company Brookside, 17,000 pupils in 225 ECDE centres in the city will benefit from supply of free milk. Each child receive a packet of milk twice a week.

Governor Sonko said the program was part of his administration's efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles and diet for effective learning of pupils.

Sonko, who launched the program in company of Brookside chief operating officer Faiz Taib at Martin Luther primary school in Makadara added that the initiative will lead to better pupil retention levels.

"I am aware that ever since the first supply of milk to schools last week, enrollment in our ECDE centres had grown considerably," Sonko said.

"Poor nutrition compromises both the quality of life of school-age children and their potential to benefit from education," Brookside's chief operating officer Faiz Taib said.

"Attaining optimal nutrition involves eating three meals a day and two nutritious snacks, as well as limiting the intake of high-sugar and high-fat foods." "A key aspect of the programme will include communicating the importance of having dairy products as part of a healthy lifestyle for our young children," Taib said.