Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has affirmed her administration’s commitment towards welfare of Early Childhood Education learners across the county.
Speaking on Tuesday January 13, 2026 during the launch of a school feeding programme at Osembo Comprehensive School in Bahati Ward, Bahati Sub-county, Kihika acknowledged that ECDE centres are crucial in the education journey of learners as it lays foundation.
She lauded the initiative as it will enhance learning outcomes and improve pupil retention.
The Governor highlighted the county’s flagship Uji Programme, which is implemented in all 1,066 public ECDE centres and benefits 65,951 learners.
In Bahati Sub-county, 2,445 learners from 46 ECDE centres are currently benefiting from the programme.
This, even as she revealed that the county has constructed 10 school kitchens to support the programme, with five more under construction, and called for collaboration with Feeding Futures to enhance nutritional diversity, expand kitchen infrastructure and promote energy-efficient cooking technologies.
It should be noted that the programme, implemented by Feeding Futures in partnership with the Nakuru County Government, provides sustainable school meals to support learners in public schools.
Governor Kihika who was accompanied by Bahati MP Irene Njoki, commended Feeding Futures, chaired by Ms Vanessa Bennett, for promoting dignity, addressing deprivation and instilling hope among learners, noting that the organisation also supports Sidai Primary School in Subukia and Mukinyai Primary School in Molo.
She reaffirmed the county’s commitment to the partnership, anchored on a five-year Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at expanding school feeding programmes to improve enrolment, retention and learning outcomes.
Governor Kihika also outlined ongoing investments in Early Childhood Education, including construction and furnishing of classrooms, installation of outdoor play equipment, fencing, toilets and water tanks, noting that 121 ECDE projects are currently underway across the county.
She further highlighted development projects in Bahati Ward across the water, infrastructure, health, education, agriculture and trade sectors, and pledged to drill a borehole at Osembo Comprehensive School to provide clean and reliable water for learners and the surrounding community.
On her part Ms Bennett praised the county government for providing uji to all ECDE learners across Nakuru and reiterated Feeding Futures’ commitment to sustainable, community-driven school feeding initiatives.
The event was also attended by Area MCA Grace Mwathi, County Secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura, Deputy County Secretary Newton Mwaura, Chief of Staff Dr Peter Ketyenya, Education CECM Zipporah Ngugi, Office of the Governor Chief Officer Martin Kagai, teachers, students and parents.