Ruto requests Sakaja to represent him in France’s school meal summit
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is set to attend the prestigious School Meals Coalition opening ceremony in France, where he will be representing President William Ruto, who is currently in France for official duties.
This development comes following a letter from the Head of Public Service, Mr Felix Koskei, which conveyed President Ruto’s unavailability due to prior commitments at the time of the event in Paris.
“H.E., the President has requested that you represent him at this meeting, given that you have been invited as well. By a copy of this letter, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Foreign Affairs, and the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, have been informed accordingly and are requested to facilitate your office with the necessary information and documentation for your successful participation,” Mr Koskei stated.
As relayed by Governor Sakaja’s communication team, the high-level event will bring together various heads of states and ministers to deliberate on strategies for investing in sustainable food systems and climate change action through school meals.
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During the event, Governor Sakaja is expected to represent Nairobi County and discuss the ‘Dishi na County’ school feeding program currently underway in Nairobi.
The program, launched in September, targets school-going children in public schools, providing them with a nutritious meal each school day. It is aimed at enhancing the nutritional status of learners and improving school attendance, performance, and transition rates for children in Nairobi.
Addressing students at a side meeting during his one-week official visit to France, Governor Sakaja emphasized the program’s significance.
“The biggest impact we have is not pegged on data or numbers; it is that the children know that somebody cares about them,” he affirmed.
Governor Sakaja is also scheduled to participate in a panel discussion at the Ambition Africa 2023 Event, where he will share insights on “Africa smart cities: Towards sustainable urban mobility.”
In September, France’s Minister of State for Development, Dr Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, pledged support for the feeding program, committing to inject Sh160 million to bolster the initiative.
The commitment was made during a visit to Toi Primary School in Kibra Constituency, where Dr Chrysoula, accompanied by the governor and other leaders, witnessed the program’s positive impact.
Currently in its initial phase, the program has garnered support from the government, indicating the possibility of its expansion throughout the country.
Also read: How Sakaja is leveraging Amazon tech for school feeding program