West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin on Monday, July 17, 2023, flagged 140,000 kilograms of fortified porridge flour.
Over 1,177 Early Childhood Development and Education centres in West Pokot are set to get the fortified porridge flour to boost nutrition and school attendance.
Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony at Chelang’a Gardens, Makutano, Governor Simon Kachapin said the flour is expected to benefit more than 70,000 learners across all 20 wards.
Governor Kachapin said Early Childhood Education plays a vital role in development, pointing out that the programme would also increase enrollment and school retention rates.
He also noted that malnutrition rates were still high in some parts of the county, noting that children in far-flung areas are the worst hit due to drought situations.
Fighting malnutrition
The porridge flour contains various minerals aimed at fighting malnutrition.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 2014, malnutrition rates in the county stood at 45.9 per cent with a high number of children suffering from chronic malnutrition due to poor feeding caused by food insecurity.
Another survey conducted by Uwezo Kenya in 2014 found that more than 60,000 children who had attained school-going age were not able to join school due to drought.
During the event, the county boss also unveiled a water rig in a move aimed towards improving water provision across the county.
Governor Kachapin highlighted that the water rig will drill boreholes in areas constantly faced with drought and water shortages.
In addition, Deputy Governor Robert Komolle noted that so much progress had been made in the short time in office, hailing Governor Kachapin as a trailblazer in development.
With many parts of North Pokot facing water shortages, the deputy governor said through initiatives such as the purchase of the drilling rig, the end to water shortages is now.
Since September last year, 17 boreholes have been drilled by the County Government of West Pokot.
