Parents’From Public to Informal Schools: Bridging the Gap in Nairobi’s Feeding Programs Voices from Parent

By Bruno Aero Family Media Staff Health Write

LVCT The beacon of hope for feeding informal programmes

Dr  Stephen Mulupi Head of Research LVCT Health has echod and emphasized to the call of nation

• Parents like Jerantine Mutio describe the financial strain of paying 30 shillings per child per day. For families with multiple children, this quickly becomes unaffordable.

• She highlights that while the program helps reduce stress around preparing meals, the cost is still overwhelming. Parents in informal settlements are requesting subsidies similar to the Dishi na County program, where meals cost only 5 shillings.

• Her plea is clear: extend government support to families in slums so children can consistently access meals.

“I have two children, I pay 60 shillings. If I were in a county school and they gave me a dish account, I would be able to pay 10 shillings.”

2. Government Perspective

Abdi Mohamed, head of Nairobi City County’s school feeding program, explains that Dishi na County already supports over 300,000 children in public schools.

• He acknowledges the success: improved attendance, reduced absenteeism, better performance, and even increased enrollment (some schools doubled in size).

• However, he admits that APBET schools (informal/private schools in slums) are still excluded. The county is planning to integrate them, but funding and donor support are needed.

• He emphasizes the need for policy and guidelines to ensure sustainability, rather than short-term initiatives.

3. Research Findings

• Inviolata Njoroge from LVCT Health shares results from a study in Mathare and Viwandani.

• The research confirms that feeding programs are highly valued by parents, teachers, and children. They improve nutrition, learning, and reduce stress for families.

• But the 30 shillings daily fee is a major barrier. Many families earn only 200 shillings per day, making it impossible to cover meals, rent, and school fees.

• Recommendations include:

  • Extending Dishi na County subsidies to informal schools.

  • Government or NGO support for kitchen infrastructure, water, and energy.

  • Possible subsidies of 15 shillings per child from government or corporates to ease parents’ burden.

• She noted that many children are leaving informal schools to join public schools just to access the subsidized meals.

“More than half of the children in the informal settlements go to the APBET schools. So all those children are missing out on that very wonderful and well-appreciated school feeding program.”

 Key Takeaway

The feeding program is transformative but unequal. Public school children benefit from subsidies, while those in informal schools—often the most vulnerable—are left behind. Parents, researchers, and county officials all agree: extending subsidies and infrastructure support to informal schools is essential for equity and sustainability.