Hunger Hits Meru Learners as Government Launches Relief Food Programme
By Gerald Mukembu
Learners in day secondary and primary schools in Meru County have been among the most affected by the ongoing drought that has disrupted food supplies for many households since November last year.
Education stakeholders say the prolonged dry spell has left many families struggling to provide meals, forcing some learners to attend school on empty stomachs and threatening school attendance.
The situation has prompted local leaders to seek urgent intervention, drawing the attention of Meru Senator and Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi.
On Monday, Murungi joined Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma to launch the distribution of relief food to several schools in the county.
Ouma said the food supplies had been dispatched by the national government through the State Department for Special Programmes to cushion learners affected by hunger.
Murungi said day secondary and primary schools were currently facing serious challenges, with hunger emerging as the most pressing issue affecting learners.
“The drought has inconvenienced many families and become a major challenge. When the rains finally came, many farmers were unprepared. Some had not prepared their land or secured fertilizer and certified seedlings for planting,” he said while releasing the first consignment to headteachers and Boards of Management representatives.
According to the county commissioner, the relief food is meant to ensure learners remain in school and are able to concentrate on their studies despite the difficult conditions affecting many households.
“The relief food arrived after Senator Kathuri engaged the relevant authorities to support affected schools. Many families are struggling with hunger and this intervention will help learners remain in class,” Ouma said.
School heads welcomed the support but warned that hunger had already begun affecting attendance in some schools.
Doris, the headteacher of CCM Good Shepherd, said some learners had started dropping out of school due to lack of food at home.
She thanked President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for supporting the programme and urged the government to expand the relief distribution to more schools across the county, particularly those in arid and semi-arid areas.
