Chapati machine arrives as Dishi na County expands menu

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Nairobi’s Dishi na County school feeding programme has added chapati to its menu following the arrival and installation of the much-awaited chapati-making machine, as the programme races towards serving its 100 millionth meal this term.

Installed at the Toi Primary Kitchen, the county says the machine can produce up to 2,000 chapatis per hour.

City Hall said the chapatis will be distributed to schools on a coordinated schedule aligned to the programme’s feeding calendar, ensuring learners across the county get their designated chapati days.

Governor Sakaja Johnson said the arrival of the machine was another commitment fulfilled as the county continues to improve the quality and variety of meals offered through Dishi na County.

“We don’t do politics with the lives of the people that we serve. We don’t promise to be heard; we promise to deliver. We have been able to secure the machine, and it is up and running,” Sakaja said.

With more than 324,000 learners currently benefiting from the programme, the Governor said distribution would be carefully planned to ensure schools are served efficiently.

“We have 324,000 pupils to serve. A timetable has been put in place, and each school will have its day to enjoy chapatis,” he said.

Dishi na County has served more than 85 million meals since its launch three years ago and is expected to cross the 100 million-meal mark this term.

Governor Sakaja Johnson described the approaching milestone as significant for a programme that began amid scepticism and has weathered political opposition and court challenges.

“It is a dream come true. We have moved from a situation where one in every four pupils could miss school because of lack of food to now feeding more than 324,000 learners. Some children even carry food home,” he said.

Through Dishi na County, learners receive a subsidised meal for Sh5 to ensure hunger does not keep children out of the classroom.

“It has not been easy to see the Dishi na County programme succeed through doubts, politics and court cases, among other challenges. Today, we are feeding over 324,000 learners across all 17 sub-counties in 230 public schools, and we shall not stop,” Governor Sakaja Johnson said.

The county is now preparing for the programme’s next phase, including expansion to public day secondary schools, while developing a framework to reach learners in schools within informal settlements.

“The other frontier is secondary schools, and for informal schools, a plan is underway. We shall be able to deliver. All we need is patience, planning and execution,” he said.

Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Health and Nutrition Suzanne Silantoi said the new machine reflects the programme’s continued growth and the county’s efforts to improve the experience for learners.

“The introduction of the chapati machine comes at an exciting time for Dishi na County. We are approaching 100 million meals served, but beyond that number are hundreds of thousands of children who can count on a hot meal every school day. Adding chapati gives them something familiar and exciting to look forward to while we continue improving the programme,” Silantoi said.

At Toi Primary Kitchen, manager Angela Muchai said the response from learners had already been enthusiastic.

“The kids are so happy to have chapati included in their meals. You can really see the joy when they receive their food,” Muchai said.

For the learners, chapati may be a simple addition to the menu, but it brings a familiar favourite to the school lunch table and adds variety to the nutritious meals they receive every day.