In Kenya, an estimated 1.6 million school-aged children face food insecurity, a challenge that contributes to low school attendance and diminished academic performance. While government initiatives, such as a KSh 17.32 billion (About $134 million) Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement in 2023, aim to expand school meal programmes to over 1.9 million learners, many children attend school without food. Food4Education, a nonprofit organisation founded by Wawira Njiru in 2012, is one initiative working to bridge this gap.
Wawira Njiru, a trained nutritionist who studied Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of South Australia, launched the programme after hosting a Kenyan-themed fundraising dinner during her university years. The dinner raised approximately KSh 126,000 (About $ 976), which she used to establish a small kitchen at Ruiru Primary School. The initiative began by providing meals to 25 children.
Today, Food4Education has expanded significantly, operating large-scale central kitchens that deliver meals to public schools across various regions in Kenya. The organisation now serves over 450,000 children daily, making it one of Africa’s largest locally led school feeding programmes.
“I am feeding the future of Africa because I believe in a generation that is well-nourished and educated,” Njiru opined.
One of the programme’s notable innovations is Tap2Eat, a cashless payment system that enables students to access subsidised meals using smart wristbands linked to a virtual wallet. Parents contribute KSh 5 (About $0.039) per meal, with the remainder covered by donors, philanthropic partners, and institutional grants. This system is designed to improve transparency and efficiency in meal distribution.
In 2023, Food4Education received an $8.6 million funding boost through a partnership with Nairobi County. The organisation’s major supporters include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Citizen, and the African Development Bank. This funding has supported the construction of modern kitchens and the programme’s expansion into cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
Data from participating schools suggest improvements in student attendance, concentration, and academic performance linked to the availability of daily school meals. In addition to addressing hunger, the programme contributes to local economic development. Food4Education has created over 3,000 jobs, many of which are filled by women and parents in the communities it serves.
The organisation also sources produce from thousands of smallholder farmers, 75% women, supporting local agriculture and ensuring nutritional value in the meals provided.
Njiru’s work has earned international recognition. She is a recipient of the Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership, was named in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30, and has been acknowledged by the World Economic Forum for her contributions to food security and social innovation.
Looking ahead, Food4Education aims to reach one million children daily in Kenya by 2027 and three million across Africa by 2030, continuing its work at the intersection of education, nutrition, and digital innovation.
