BY SAM ALFAN .
Thousands of public-school going children in Nairobi will continue enjoying meals after the High Court declined to suspend a feeding programme initiated by Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja.
Justice Thande Mugure rejected the application by Tunza Mtoto Coalition executive director Janet Ouko, to suspend the programme, saying the best interest of a child must prevail.
“I decline to grant any conservatory orders at this stage. To suspend the programme at this stage will be against the best interest of the children who are targeted to benefit from this programme,” ruled Judge Thande.
Sakaja through lawyer Elias Mutuma urged the court not to suspend the food program since it was helping children especially those in Nairobi slums.
The court heard that parents pay Sh5 for food and fruits for their children. He added that this was a motivational for children to go school and get education.
Governor Sakaja said over 250,000 students and pupils will be denied the opportunity to enjoy the meal.
Mutuma told the court that other feeding children, the programme has also created hundreds of jobs such as cooks, foodstuff suppliers and others.
Lawyer Mutuma the court stopping the program will be prejudicial adding that the petition is premature.
“If orders are issued they will have adverse effects… young children will miss their lunch today, a basic need,” court was told
Lawyer Mutuma further told Judge Thande that the petition is based on misunderstanding on the County and National government saying that it’s not in any way a transfer of functions or delegations.
He also submitted that 289 Kenyans have been employed in the ongoing program and if the program is halted then these Kenyans will go home without a pay and urged the court to decline issuing orders sought.
Former Nairobi County education CEC under Sonko’s regime Janet Ouko moved to court seeking to halt the school feeding programme.
She had urged the court to issue a conservatory order blocking or postponing the release and spending of funds allocated to the “Dishi na County” school-feeding program, pending the determination of the case.
Nairobi County Assembly supported Sakaja’s application and urged the court not to stop the programme as sought.
According to the county Assembly, parents will only spend 325 per term and that it will encourage many school going children to attend school.
In the programme, the Ministry of education and county government signed MoU for both of the parties to contribute equally.
The county government contribute Sh1.2 billion to the kitty. Already construction of 10 kitchen with cost of 5 million shilling is ongoing. Equally important to know the biggest of them all will be based at enterprise road at industrial area.
