The Governor of Kisii County, Paul Simba Arati, has officially launched a free milk program aimed at improving nutrition and learning outcomes for young children in public schools.

The program targets Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) learners across all 45 wards in the county, providing milk three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

According to the Governor, the initiative is expected to benefit approximately 68,000 children across the county.

“This program is not just about providing milk; it is about improving the health and cognitive development of our young learners,” said Governor Arati during the launch, adding that well-nourished children are more likely to perform better in school and remain in school.

The county plans to source milk from local farmers once the new Kisii milk factory becomes operational, thereby supporting the local agricultural economy. Boda boda riders have been engaged to deliver the milk directly to schools, ensuring timely distribution across the county.

This initiative forms part of a broader effort by the Kisii County Government to integrate nutrition support with quality education, including the construction of more classrooms and the provision of learning materials for ECDE centres.

Governor Arati urged parents, teachers, and local leaders to support the program and ensure that children fully benefit from the initiative.