Trans Nzoia County Government has launched a free milk programme for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.

The programme which targets to benefit 41,000 children who are in 434 centres across the county, is set to cost Sh70m and it will see each learner get a packet of milk twice a week.

Speaking during the launch of the programme at Kitale Township Primary School, Governor George Natembeya said the programme will help address the challenge of malnutrition among children and ensure their general well-being even as their education needs are met.

Mr Natembeya urged teachers to be custodians of the programme and advised them to ensure that no packet of milk finds way out of the learning institutions.

‘Am urging teachers to help protect this programme for us to achieve the intended objectives. Let teachers ensure that no learner takes milk out of the school compound. This milk is meant for the learners and it should only be taken at school,’ he advised.

The programme had earlier been piloted
in 50 centres in the County at a cost of Sh 8 million.

Tiwani Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Daddy Were hailed the County Government for the commitment towards ensuring ECDE sector in Trans Nzoia ranks among the best in the country.

He mentioned the recent placement of 800 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms as a noble move.

This comes as the County has put in place plans to employ 160 more teachers on the same terms.

Welcoming the free milk programme, Mr Were said the initiative will encourage more children to be in school and develop an interest in education.

Accompanying the Governor was the County Secretary Truphosa Amere and County Executive Committee Members Danstan Amboka (Public Works), Janerose Mutama (Lands and Urban Planning) and Stanley Kirui (Education).

Source: Kenya News Agency