- Government rolls out school milk pilot project in Kilifi
- Aims to improve child nutrition and school attendance
- Local farmers benefit through increased dairy demand
- Program part of wider food security push under #BETAKILIMO
The government has kicked off a new school milk program aimed at improving children’s health, boosting class attendance, and supporting dairy farmers. The launch was held at Kachororoni Primary School in Ganze, Kilifi County.
The pilot project is part of the #feedoneendhunger campaign and is set to roll out across more regions soon.
The event was led by First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto and Agriculture Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke. Both officials emphasized the impact the milk program could have on children’s growth and learning.
“This is about more than just milk,” said PS Mueke. “It’s about building a healthier, more educated generation while supporting our farmers and rural communities.”
The program will provide every learner with a glass of milk daily, something simple, yet powerful enough to tackle child hunger and boost school participation. At the same time, it opens a reliable market for dairy producers in rural Kenya.
The initiative aims to improve nutrition among children while strengthening farming livelihoods at the grassroots.
Alongside the milk program, learners at Kachororoni have been nurturing kitchen gardens in school. The First Lady and PS Mueke toured the gardens, which are helping families grow fresh vegetables and access balanced meals.
The gardens also teach pupils how to grow their food, giving them lifelong skills in farming and healthy eating.
These two projectsmilk supply and school gardens, are part of the government’s broader plan to end hunger through smart farming and child-focused nutrition. The Ministry confirmed the projects will be scaled up nationwide under the #BETAKILIMO banner.
Following the success of this pilot, the school milk project will soon reach more schools in other counties. The goal is clear: to ensure that no child is forced to learn while hungry, and every farmer finds value in their work.
