Thousands of children in Kenya from low-income households in four counties will be enrolled in the expanded school feeding programme after a civil society organisation, Food4Education, secured renewed support from the government of France.

Food4Education (F4E) – a Kenyan charity – in partnership with the government of France, has announced an expanded collaboration to support access to nutritious school meals for vulnerable learners in more counties.

The announcement came alongside the commissioning of Food4Education’s new central kitchen in Changamwe, Mombasa, which has the capacity to prepare 20,000 meals daily. This facility complements Mombasa’s first kitchen, which already serves more than 25,000 meals for schools. This covers 7,600 children in Nairobi, 5,000 in Mombasa, 4,000 in Kisumu and 2,503 in Kakamega counties.

Speaking during the launch of the Food4Education Gome Kitchen in Changamwe, F4E founder Wawira Njiru explained the purpose of school feeding in improving education outcomes, advancing child nutrition and boosting inclusive economic growth.

Many of the targeted learners come from poor families that experience extreme food insecurity. In Kenya, over 60 per cent of children experience inadequate nutrition, a problem that undermines brain development, school attendance and long-term academic outcomes.

Research shows that school feeding programmes improve retention, boost concentration and reduce absenteeism. Njiru described the renewed partnership as a lifeline for learners at risk of dropping out of school due to hunger.

“This partnership with the French government goes beyond meals. It’s about restoring dignity and creating opportunity for children who would otherwise struggle to learn on an empty stomach. Expanding into Kisumu, Mombasa and Kakamega means thousands more learners will have the nutrition they need to stay in school, focus, and thrive. Our goal remains clear: no child in Kenya should be forced to learn while hungry,” she said.

French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet said France is committed to advancing child nutrition and education through long-term investments. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir welcomed the expansion, saying it demonstrates how school feeding contributes to both social development and economic growth.

“We are grateful to partners like the French government and Food4Education. This partnership proves that school feeding is not just a social programme but a critical investment in education, human capital and economic growth.

“Over the past three years, our programs have reached more than 25,000 learners daily, served over 9 million meals, created 145 jobs, and strengthened local agriculture. With this new expansion, these numbers will grow even further. This is how we build a stronger foundation for Mombasa’s children and Kenya’s future,” he said.

Mombasa leaders also pledged their support. Airport Ward MCA and Chair of Education Committee in Mombasa County Assembly Ibrahim Omondi called for stronger structures to entrench school feeding in county education policy.

Changamwe Member of Parliament Omar Mwinyi echoed similar sentiment, stressing the need to protect children’s constitutional right to adequate and nutritious food as enshrined in Chapter Four of the Bill of Rights.

“No child should be hungry at school. France is proud to stand alongside Food4Education in delivering daily school meals to vulnerable learners.

In Nairobi, we have already seen how a reliable meal improves attendance and learning. Extending this programme to Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kakamega will transform even more young lives.

As co-chair of the global School Meals Coalition, France sees this as an investment in Kenya’s future and a reflection of our deep partnership with Kenyan communities,” he said.

Food4Education was first launched in Paris in 2012, before being introduced in Nairobi, Kenya, where it has since been scaled up to other parts of the country. France has been a leading global voice for child nutrition, co-chairing the School Meals Coalition, since 2021, while investing Ksh15.1 billion worldwide in school feeding programmes.

In Kenya, the French embassy has partnered with Food 4Education since 2023 to support the expansion of its local- led model that integrates technology, local sourcing and community partnerships.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chari Suche