How school meals have revamped learning in arid Samburu County

For decades, access to education for the pastoral community in Samburu County has faced huge challenges, especially for children.

Many parents struggle to balance their children’s developmental needs with the demands of a pastoral lifestyle. With limited Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres and childcare options, families faced a daunting choice: leave their children home alone or prioritise their livestock, their primary source of income.

This situation is more difficult for children with unique developmental needs, as unmet needs can lead to lifelong challenges, as demonstrated by the story of Neema Naanyu.

When Naanyu was just two years old, her mother was killed by bandits while carrying her daughter on her back. Naanyu suffered injuries and fell into a coma for three weeks. On waking up, she had lost her ability to speak and struggled to socialise with others, often displaying aggressive behaviour.

Naanyu’s aunt took her in but found it overwhelming to meet her caregiving responsibilities and the need to provide for the family.

She couldn’t leave Naanyu alone at home, yet she also couldn’t neglect their few goats, which were essential for their livelihood. While tending to goats one day, Naanyu’s aunt encountered education officials from the County Government of Samburu.

She was connected with an ECDE teacher. The county government, in partnership with the Kenya Drylands Education Fund, is working to improve learning conditions in 540 ECDE centres across the county.

Each centre is equipped with basic educational facilities, such as classrooms connected to water sources, and play materials including ladders, wall charts, climbing structures, and toys, accommodating up to 20 children aged two to five. These centres not only provide trusted care but also serve daily meals and offer opportunities for children to socialise and play in a safe environment.

County Executive Committee Member in charge of Education, Mark Egelan, said: “Not only do the centres give parents peace of mind, knowing their children are safe and well cared for while they work, but they are also helping reshape child care practices throughout the community—extending to home life.”

Egelan noted there are currently 44,000 children enrolled in functional ECDE centres, a marked increase from previous years. “Unlike in the past, children are now learning in a conducive environment. They are engaging in e-learning, which has encouraged them to embrace modern technology,” he added

The initiative to enhance learning conditions in ECDE centres in Samburu began in 2023 under Governor Lati Lelelit. “Having grown up in Samburu, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by pastoral communities, including the hardships caused by drought that disrupt education for young children,” he said.

Lati focused on providing food, sinking boreholes, recruiting teachers, and improving facilities to keep young learners in classrooms.

As a result of the collaboration with the Kenya Drylands Education Fund, enrolment in the centres has risen dramatically from 12,000 two years ago to 44,000 today.

Ahamed Kura, Executive Director of the Kenya Drylands Education Fund, said the partnership has ensured children receive daily meals.

The organisation manages meal distribution to all centres and provides data and feedback to the education department regularly. “This data helps improve conditions in the learning centers and address challenges. We also ensure that food reaches even the most remote parts of the county,” Kura explained.

He said the improvements in food security and learning conditions have resulted in a significant increase in enrollment. “Our system also ensures there is no loss of food through theft during transit, which was common,” Kura added.