- Military units have been instructed to implement a new system that allows officers to manage their meal allowances.
- The move aims to cut delays and give officers more control over their food options.
- However, junior officers say the change may stretch their already limited income.
- The Ministry has committed to monitoring and adjusting the system as needed to meet future requirements.
A new directive from the Kenya Army is changing how soldiers get their meals. In a letter dated June 23, Brigadier Eric Nzioki Kitusya ordered all military units to switch to a PAYE-based system immediately. Units were told to use 14 days’ worth of rations as seed capital to kick off the program.
According to the letter, the money raised from those initial rations will go into a revolving fund run by unit-level PAYE committees. The plan is to use the current kitchen setups and avoid building anything new. The Ministry of Defence says this will help save time and reduce food waste, especially when soldiers are moved between bases.
The Ministry insists the change will give officers more meal options and better flexibility. But some soldiers, especially those in lower ranks, say they depend on the current meal system to make ends meet. No worry, buying their food might cost more than they can afford.
The army started moving toward cash allowances for food back in 2000. Breakfast and dinner were dropped first, leaving lunch as the only meal still fully funded. The allowance amount has gone up over time to match inflation, but this latest shift feels bigger and more permanent.
Officials say they’ll keep reviewing the system during the 2025/2026 budget year and make changes if needed. Still, some officers are not convinced. They’re asking whether this new model might end up creating more challenges for the very people it’s supposed to help.
