Machakos Governor, Wavinya Ndeti has flagged off a consignment of assorted foodstuffs for distribution to all public Early Childhood Development Education centers (ECDEs) in an initiative she said was aimed at promoting holistic early learning.
The phase two free school feeding program by the County Government comes barely two weeks after the Governor launched Maziwa ya Mama Program- an initiative to provide free milk to ECDE pupils in public institutions across Machakos.
Speaking during the flag off exercise at her White House office in the upcoming New Machakos City, Wavinya said her government will remain focused on establishing a strong foundation for holistic learning in ECDE centres.
“As a leader, a mother and a mentor to our young people, I do not want any child in Machakos County to miss the first step of their academic journey due to lack of a meal at school. I assure parents of my unwavering commitment in supporting the dreams and aspirations of the young angels in our institutions,” said the governor.
Wavinya said her aim was to focus on improving the quality of early learning, noting that a good foundation was key in unlocking greater academic potential.
“School is the only place where dreams and great potentials can be unlocked. It is the only avenue where intellectual abilities can be nurtured and shaped for future careers and also for scientific research and discoveries,” she said.
The governor said the distribution pattern and ratios will be informed by the degree of enrollment in respective Sub-Counties. The foodstuffs comprises mainly of rice and beans.
Wavinya, who was flanked by his deputy, Francis Mwangangi hit out at a section of local politicians whom she accused of politicizing her development programs through a smear campaign aimed at mud-sliding her government projects.
“The same individuals who criticized our dams projects are at it again questioning why we are giving our young children milk at school. They also complained when we gave farmers free seeds and issued students with bursaries and scholarships. They don’t see anything good we do as a government,” she said.
The governor maintained she will not succumb to distraction by her opponents, whom she claimed were out to slow down her development agenda.
Mwangangi who asked the critics of the county government to stop engaging in early campaigns.
“The people of Machakos had faith with Governor Wavinya and myself when we sought their mandate to govern this county. We are telling those engaging in political side shows to go slow with early campaigns because the next election is way too far and the time we have is only enough to serve the electorate,” said the Machakos Deputy Governor.