MOMBASA County— Feb 2, 2026—The Mombasa County Government has announced plans to roll out a free meals programme in all public day secondary schools across the county in a bid to boost school attendance and improve education outcomes.
Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir said the initiative is intended to support students from low-income households who are unable to afford lunch fees, a challenge he said has contributed to absenteeism and disrupted learning in several schools.
Speaking during a multi-career day exhibition for secondary school students held at the Tononoka Social Hall, Nassir said the county government aims to replicate the success of its school feeding programme in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres by extending similar support to day secondary schools.
“It is unfortunate that some students are forced to stay at home due to lack of lunch fees, a situation that negatively affects the education sector in the county,” the governor said.
Nassir noted that the proposed programme forms part of broader county efforts to strengthen access to education and reduce the socio-economic barriers that continue to affect learners, particularly in urban informal settlements.
During the same event, Mombasa County Lands, Housing, Urban Planning and Devolved Units Executive Committee Member, Mohammed Hussein Mohammed (Amadoh) urged students and young people to embrace resilience and self-belief as key ingredients for personal and professional success.
The proposed free meals programme is expected to benefit thousands of learners enrolled in day secondary schools across Mombasa County, with further details on implementation and funding to be announced.
