By Njeri Irungu,
27 February 2026,
Nairobi, Kenya.
A new study by LVCT Health has called for the expansion of Nairobi’s school feeding programme, Dishi na County, to include children enrolled in Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) schools within the city’s informal settlements.
The findings were presented during a dissemination forum bringing together researchers, county officials, school heads and parents. The study was conducted in four schools — two in Mathare and two in Viwandani — where a co-created feeding programme was piloted after reviewing lessons from existing feeding models, including Dishi na County and other locally run initiatives.
Lead researcher Inviolata Njoroge said the goal of the study was to explore ways of increasing access to healthy diets for children in informal schools, many of whom come from highly vulnerable households. She noted that school feeding programmes are widely appreciated by parents, teachers and learners because they directly support children’s physical development, concentration and overall academic potential.
Under the pilot programme, parents contributed KSh30 per child per day for meals. However, the study found this amount to be a significant burden for families surviving on approximately KSh200 a day. In households with multiple children, daily meal contributions could rise to KSh60 or KSh90, competing with rent, school fees and other essential expenses.
By comparison, children in public schools under Dishi na County pay KSh5 per meal, with the rest heavily subsidised by Nairobi City County. Researchers observed that more than half of children living in informal settlements attend APBET schools, meaning many are currently excluded from the subsidised programme.
The study recommends that the county consider extending subsidies to APBET schools, even partially. A KSh15 subsidy per child per day, researchers said, would significantly ease pressure on parents and improve sustainability. They also proposed county support in kitchen infrastructure, water supply and energy to enhance operational efficiency.
Mohammed Abdi, Nairobi County Head, School Health , welcomed the findings, noting that Dishi na County currently targets over 300,000 learners in public schools. He said the programme has led to improved attendance, reduced absenteeism and increased enrolment, with some schools recording sharp rises in student numbers due to the availability of meals.
Mohamed acknowledged the need to explore expansion to APBET schools, stating that plans are underway, though timelines remain unclear. He emphasised that expansion would require increased budget allocations, policy support and partnerships with donors and other stakeholders.
Parents and school leaders at the forum urged the county and national governments to ensure equity in access to school meals, maintaining that “there is no public or private child.” They called for collaborative action to ensure that all children in Nairobi’s informal settlements benefit from structured and affordable school feeding programmes.
