Vihiga: Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners in Vihiga County are set to benefit from a soya premix school feeding programme beginning in March 2026, in a move aimed at improving child nutrition, school attendance, and overall learning outcomes.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme will be implemented by Sustainable Organic Farming and Development Initiatives (SOFDI) in partnership with the Vihiga County Department of Education, Science, Technical and Vocational Training.
Speaking on the initiative, Education CECM Anne Desma stated that the feeding programme will play a critical role in enhancing learner health while also supporting community-based agricultural initiatives, ensuring a sustainable approach to child development. Desma emphasized that the programme will not only improve nutrition among ECDE learners but also boost school attendance and empower local farmers through sustainable agriculture.
Good nutrition is essential during early childhood, as it supports physical growth, cognitive development, academic performance, and active participation in school activities. The soya premix feeding programme has been designed to enhance the nutritional status of young learners, contributing to improved concentration, better learning outcomes, and overall well-being.
Beyond improving child health, the initiative will also strengthen local food systems by increasing the availability of soya within the community. It aims to promote soya as a high-value, soil-enriching crop, encourage sustainable farming practices such as crop rotation to break pest cycles, and boost household incomes through expanded market access for local farmers.
The programme is expected to further enhance community food security while creating a strong link between education, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture in Vihiga County.
