Limuru Constituency’s ‘Tap to Eat’ school feeding programme, where meals are cooked in a mega central kitchen and distributed to dozens of schools in central, has been ranked the best in the East African nation.

Situated in Kamandura Comprehensive School, the Mega Kitchen serves over 15,000 pupils at an affordable daily cost of Ksh15 ($0.12) and Ksh2,700 ($21) per term while ensuring that per cent of pupils in each school receives meals for free.

Launched in March 2024, the programme has transformed the way children in Limuru access daily meals by enabling students to purchase meals using a simple tap on their smartphones.

Having been marked as the best in the country, members of parliament from other constituencies have been visiting the facility for benchmarking of the school feeding programme as they prepare to implement the same in their own constituencies.

Hosted by Limuru MP John Kiragu, Nandi Hills Bernard Kitur acknowledged the programme’s positive impact and its feasibility while promising to implement the same in his constituency.

“We had heard of the success of Limuru school feeding programme and I am here to learn the logistics of the programme, including how meals are prepared and distributed to schools before lunchtime. I, too, can go home and ensure that no child in Nandi Hills goes to class on an empty stomach,” said Kitur.

“We are open to sharing our success with other constituencies to help even more children across the country,” Kiragu said.

The initiative allows parents to top-up their children’s meal accounts and enables students to access food at school without the hassle of carrying cash or dealing with long queues at school canteens.

“Before ‘Tap to Eat’, I had to give my child money every morning for lunch, but sometimes it was difficult to make sure the money was enough, and they would often lose it,” said Mary Wanjiru, a mother of two school-going children in Limuru.

“Now, I can easily top-up the account from my phone, and my children can just tap and get their meals. It’s safe and convenient.”

The programme has also made it possible for schools to offer nutritious meals at a fraction of the cost.

Meal prices, which were once a financial burden for many families, have been subsidised through partnerships with local food vendors and sponsors, the mobile-based payment system also tracks daily meal consumption, ensuring that children receive balanced and adequate nutrition.

“We’re focused on ensuring that no child goes hungry while at school. With ‘Tap to Eat,’ children can make smarter food choices and parents can rest easy knowing that their kids are getting proper meals that are both healthy and affordable,” Manager of Tap to Eat programme Robert Kihara said.

The ease of access to meals, combined with the growing use of mobile money in Kenya, has made Tap to Eat a game-changer in addressing food insecurity and improving school attendance.

Teachers interviewed have also noted improvements in student academic performance, with well-nourished children showing increased focus and engagement during lessons.

The initiative comes at a time when many households in Kenya faced financial challenges due to the unaffordable cost of living

With its growing success in Limuru, Tap to Eat has expanded with other neighbouring sub counties including Githunguri, Kikuyu and Kiambaa sub counties while contributing to the fight against hunger and malnutrition in schools across Kenya.

A Tell / KNA report / By Grace Naishoo

fd1,2,4: Bernard Kitur, Member of Parliament for Nandi Hills with his host Limuru MP John Kiragu during his visit to Kamandura Comprehensive School, where the Limuru feeding program mega kitchen, is situated, to learned about the logistics of the programme. Credit: Grace Naishoo