Governor Sakaja Launches Free ECD Grant, Ensuring Access to Education for All Pupils

By KMajangah

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has launched a free ECD grant, ensuring that all ECD pupils in Nairobi have access to free education.

During the launch at City Hall, the governor announced that Ksh.100 million has been allocated to benefit over 30,000 pupils in Nairobi’s public pre-primary schools.

“With 30,000 pupils in our public pre-primary schools, each will receive 3,200 shillings that have been set aside. A total of KShs 100 million will be allocated to the school boards, following the agreed guidelines,” said Governor Sakaja.

Sakaja highlighted a partnership between Nairobi County and the National Government to construct 5,000 classrooms over the next five years. This collaboration aims to rehabilitate ECD centers, with the national government constructing 3,500 classes and the county government constructing 1,500 classrooms.

Governor Sakaja also announced the commencement of the school lunches program, called “Dishi na County,” on the first day of the third term, August 28th.

“This initiative will provide lunch to every child in a public school in Nairobi, benefiting 250,000 children. Currently, 10 kitchens are under construction, and an additional Kshs 500 million has been allocated in the 2023-2024 financial year for the construction of more kitchens. Moreover, Kshs 1.2 billion has been allocated to fund the school feeding program, with support from the President.” He said

In addition to these developments, the governor shared that the county is launching the Subsidized Vocational Training Centers’ Support Grant, which amounts to Kshs 31 million.

This grant will cater to 2,000 trainees in seven vocational training centers, namely Bahati, Dandora Greenlight, Mathare, Mathari, Waithaka, Kangemi, and Kiwanja.

To further emphasize their commitment, Governor Sakaja mentioned the plan to build 5,000 classrooms in partnership with the National Government, where 3,500 classrooms will be constructed by the national government and 1,500 by the county government.

The 2023-2024 budget has allocated Kshs 100 million for the construction and rehabilitation of ECDs and vocational training centers.

Governor Sakaja, along with his Deputy, Njorge Muchiri, presiding over the launch of the free ECDE Grant 2022/2023 at Charter Hall.

The event also include the release of the second batch of Executive Scholarships and Ward Bursaries for disbursement, as well as the Kshs 100 million grant for free ECDE.