The National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya

🌍🍽️ Creating Fiscal Space for School Meals: Advancing Agenda 2063 & SDGs! 🍽️🌍

At the African Development Bank's 2024 Annual Meetings, leaders discussed sustainable financing for expanding school meal programs in Africa. This high-level event, featuring NACONEK CEO Harun Yussuf, explored innovative approaches for scaling up and sustaining school feeding programs. Currently, the government feeds 2.6 million learners and plans to upscale to 4 million by 2024, aiming for universal coverage by 2030. Strategic partnerships with WFP and The Rockefeller Foundation are key to this effort.

The innovative strategy includes carbon financing. With 90% of schools using wood as fuel, we aim to transition to mass clean cooking using steam cooking technology. This technology will:
• Provide a clean, environmentally friendly energy source
• Enhance cooking efficiency
• Reduce emissions by 75%-80%
• Minimize food wastage

Let's build partnerships to ensure every child receives nutritious meals and a brighter future!

The 2023 Annual Review of the Expansion of Operation Come-To-School Project workshop is currently underway at Simba Lodge Naivasha, spanning from December 4th to 7th. This marks the culmination of a three-year initiative with the goal of enrolling 250,000 Out-of-School Children (OOSC) in Kenya by 2023. The distinguished attendees include Deema Jarrar, Chief of Education at UNICEF Kenya Office, Elyas Abdi, Director General of the State Department for Basic Education, Regional Director of Education, County Director of Education, and Focal Persons for the Project.

During the review of the "Operation Come-To-School Programme, Kenya," gratitude was expressed for collaborative efforts, with a focus on achievements in empowering communities and schools for OOSC enrollment and retention. The acknowledgment of the need to safeguard gains led to the identification of household and school-level barriers to OOSC, prompting strategic interventions. These interventions encompass expanding the School Meals Programme, establishing more Low-Cost Boarding facilities, integrating Duksi and Madrassa into formal education, promoting mental health and life skills, and enhancing the Come-to-School programme for a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.

The review workshop thoroughly evaluated achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of community mobilization, engagement, and advocacy for ownership and sustainability. The complexity of addressing OOSC was acknowledged, with appreciation expressed for collaboration with UNICEF and partners. The overarching objective is to strengthen collaborations for sustainable education, with gratitude extended to UNICEF for facilitating the project and organizing the review workshop, which concluded with the official closure.

"The Rockefeller Foundation, in collaboration with WFP and the Ministry of Education and NACOEK, is currently hosting a gathering of partners and external stakeholders at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The event, titled 'Promoting African Solutions on the Road to COP28: Kenya’s Pioneering Climate-friendly School Meals Initiative,' brings together key players to discuss Kenya's ambitious vision.

During the event, NACONEK CEO Harun Yussuf presented Kenya's bold initiative for universal school feeding by 2030. This initiative aims not only to nourish minds but also to foster climate-friendly school meals. From championing resilient agriculture to adopting green energy solutions, Kenya is paving the way for a transformative journey, turning school meals into a catalyst for sustainable homegrown solutions for learners and communities alike. The commitment made at ACS serves as a global call to action, highlighting Kenya's leadership in aligning education, nutrition, and climate resilience on the path to COP28."

The Duksi and Madrassa Rapid Assessment report is currently under validation at Umma University in Kajiado County from November 16th to 17th, 2023. The workshop includes Muslim scholars and sheikhs from eight counties, with Hon. Dr. Elmi Mohamed Ibrahim, former Minister for Development of Northern Kenya & other Arid Lands, as the chief guest. The report emphasizes the crucial role of Qur’anic schooling in the Muslim community and challenges faced, hindering comprehensive education. Future plans include the development of a Duksi and Madrasa Curriculum Framework to unify education structures and address current shortcomings.

Hon. Geoffrey Ruku, Member of Parliament for Mbeere North, joins forces with NACONEK's CEO, Harun Yussuf, and National School Meals Coordinator, Millicent Ochola, to tackle the impact of drought in the semi-arid Mbeere North, causing poverty and hunger. This has adverse effects on education, affecting learner enrollment, retention, and performance. In a recent meeting, NACONEK committed to providing a transformative solution—a ready to drink fortified composite porridge starting January 2024. Beyond being a meal, it serves as a beacon of hope and nutrition for the learners, addressing various challenges and promising a brighter, healthier future for the learners.

Day 3 of African Climate Summit
The story we are telling this week:

Zero Carbon Schools: Climate Smart School Meals Program" is a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of schools while also promoting environmentally sustainable practices and healthy eating.
Reducing Carbon Emissions: The goal of this program is to make schools carbon-neutral or close to it. This involves initiatives like using renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing waste eg: Steam Cooking System, Briquettes

Sustainable Food Sourcing: To support climate-smart school meals, the program focuses on sourcing food locally and sustainably. This means using local and seasonal ingredients to reduce transportation emissions and choosing products that are produced with minimal environmental impact.

Zero-Waste Initiatives: Schools to implement zero-waste strategies by reducing single-use plastics, encouraging recycling of tetra pack uji packets and composting, and minimizing food waste through careful meal planning (based on daily attendance) and portion control.

Education and Awareness: Educating learners, teachers and the broader community about the importance of reducing carbon emissions and making sustainable food choices. Through classroom education, workshops, and awareness campaigns.
Gardens and Green Spaces: Encouraging schools to establish gardens and green spaces where pupils can learn about sustainable agriculture and participate in growing some of the ingredients used in school meals.

Partnerships: Collaboration with local farmers, food producers, and community based organizations to ensure a steady supply of sustainable and locally-sourced food for school meals
Advocacy: Support from local and regional governments as well as NGOs is crucial in implementing and sustaining this program.

Charlene Ruto visited our booth and expressed interest in steam cooking system.

DAY 2 :AFRICA CLIMATE SUMMIT 2023
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with NACONEK, is taking a big step towards sustainability in schools. They're introducing steam cooking technology powered by briquettes to replace wood fuel, reducing our impact on Kenya's forests and helping meet emission reduction goals by 2030. 🌳
This project has already been tested at Kwale Boys, Kwale Girls, Nairobi School, St. John’s Kaloleni, Madogo High, and Garissa High. It's aptly named "Zero Carbon Schools," aiming to create a space for schools in the Carbon Market Framework. 🌍
But that's not all! This initiative also means more green jobs for young people, as they'll produce briquettes for schools, promoting a grassroots green economy.🌱 Let's make our schools and communities greener together! 💚
Visit Our Booth at the Africa Climate Summit in the Kenya Pavilion for further engagements.

NACONEK played a significant role at Africa Climate Summit 2023 as a high-level panelist during the side event titled "Climate Smart School Meals as a Pathway to Mitigate Climate Change Effects in Africa." The event featured several distinguished attendees, including Hon. Ezekiel Machogu, the CS Education; Dr. Belio Kipsang, the PS; Harun Yusuff, CEO of NACONEK; Laurren Landis, Country Director of the World Food Programme Kenya; Mehrdad Ehsani, Vice President of the Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation; and Nanine Wyna, MD of the Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa.

During the event, Harun Yusuff, CEO of NACONEK, provided context on the school meals program in Kenya. He highlighted the government's commitment to delivering this program, including the impressive achievement of feeding over 2 million learners in the previous financial year. The government's goal is to feed 4 million children in the current financial year and 10 million students by 2027. To achieve this ambitious target, collaboration with partners is crucial for scalability.

Lauren Landis, the Country Director of WFP, acknowledged the local government's efforts in delivering the school meals program. She emphasized that one of the key challenges posed by climate change is hunger, and school meals serve as a safety net. She also stressed the importance of developing innovative climatic agricultural interventions at the local level to support homegrown school feeding initiatives.

Mehrdad Ehsani, representing The Rockefeller Foundation, highlighted the need for local governments to establish proper financial systems and improve the way they communicate and address climate-related issues.

Nanine Wyna underscored the importance of promoting food-based dietary guidelines, including vegetarian diets, to make school meals more climate-smart.

In summary, the side event on Climate Smart School Meals in Africa featured discussions on the government's commitment to feeding millions of students, the role of school meals in addressing climate change effects, the need for innovative agricultural interventions, financial system improvements, and dietary guidelines to support climate-smart school meals.

The National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya is working in Partnership with WFP and Rockafeller Foundation to discuss Kenyas ZERO carbon schools and National School feeding Program during the Africa Climate summit at KICC. Join us at the panel discussion in the SE2 tent on 4th August 2023 at 1:30 pm. You can also visit our booth at the Kenyan Pavilion to learn more about our climate smart initiatives.

Ni back to school season na Abiria ni wengi sana.
Wabebe bila kuhatarisha maisha yao.

Msimu wa watoto kurudi shuleni umefika. Zingatia kanuni za Barabara.

We're thrilled to announce the official launch of Naibor Amani Primary School in Laikipia North, Kenya. by CS Hon. Ezekiel Machogu, this low-cost boarding school aims to enhance learning activities and put an end to the harmful practice of FGM (Female Ge***al Mutilation) in the pastoralist community.

This initiative highlights the importance of education and its potential to bring about positive social change. By investing in the education of children, particularly in underserved communities, society can break the cycle of harmful practices and empower individuals to build a better future for themselves and their communities.

We applaud Laikipia North Mp Hon Sarah Korere for her visionary leadership and dedication to education and social change. Initiatives like Naibor Amani Primary School have the power to transform lives, break harmful cycles, and empower communities.

The M-Pesa Foundation team held a consultative meeting with NACONEK to discuss potential collaboration in establishing centralized kitchens for schools. The primary objective of this partnership is to enhance access to inclusive and equitable quality education in Kenya. By establishing centralized kitchens, we aim to address the challenges faced by schools in providing adequate and nutritious meals to students. This initiative will promote inclusivity by ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, have access to quality education and essential nutrition.

NACONEK is exhibiting at the KESSHA 46th Annual Conference themed: Enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of education in Kenya.
Visit our booth to learn more about our programs towards promoting access to quality education.

Final Day of the 6th KIPPRA Annual General Conference themed "Accelerating Economic Growth"

NACONEK contributes richly to the human capital in ASALs by provision of quality education, through the NIWFESS(NACONEK Integrated Water, Food and Energy Solutions for Schools) program.

Visit our website www.naconek.ke for more information.

His Excellency Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua engages with NACONEK in Cutting-Edge Solutions on the Education and Skills Development in ASALs including School Meals Program at our Exhibition Booth during the 6th KIPPRA Africa Regional Conference themed” Accelerating Economic growth in ASALs”

NACONEK team at the 6th KIPPRA Africa Regional Conference in Kilifi. Visit our booth and website www.naconek.ke for more information on who we are and what we do.

Day 2 of the 6th KIPPRA Annual Regional Conference Plenary session on Education & Skils Development in ASALs.

From right Beatrice Ooko- NACONEK, Zakaria Ismail- NACONEK, Eddy Stella- Kilifi County Governmet, Catherine KCB Group, Dr. Norman Kiogora- KISE & Millicent Otom NITA

Live at KIPPRA Conference our very own Engineer Alex Oduor explaing how ASAL Counties can enhance their water harvesting capacity.

From left Jackie Abola- International Water Management heInstitue, Alex Oduor -NACONEK, Dr.Joseph Shevel – President Galilee international Mgt Fred Nyongesa – Water Resource Authority and Hezzekiel Mwaura MD Kilifi Water and Sewerage.

NACONEK is exhibiting at the 6th Annual Regional Conference themed; Accelerating Economic Growth and Development for ASALs in Kenya at Pwani University, Kilifi County.

Visit our booth to learn more about NACONEK's products and projects in ASALs

Kippra Kenya

Elimu Founder/President Nina Chung paid a courtesy call on NACONEK CEO Harun Yussuf.

NACONEK Duksi & Madrassa Team meeting with Sheikhs from 8 different counties.

Lamu Sub-County Directors Education paid a courtesy call on the CEO of NACONEK.

Some of Garissa County SCDEs paid a courtesy call on the CEO of NACONEK.

Sub- County Director Education(SCDEs) in group work discussing the challenges and mitigation of the challenges in the School Meals Programme in their various counties at the consultative forum.
Counties present Lamu, Tana-River, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Baringo.

NACONEK CEO addressing the SCDEs on day 3 of the consultative forum for School Meals Programme.

NACONEK in a consultative forum for SMP with the SCDEs at Royal Acacia Hotel, Isiolo 8th -10th June 2023

The school meals program provides a significant source of nutrition that meets the prescribed national safety and quality requirements. this has resulted in an improvement in enrollment and retention of children in schools in ASAL regions', pockets of poverty and urban informal settlements. Healthy nation starts with preventive measures NUTRITION.
NACONEK exhibiting at the 4th National Nutrition Symposium.

The National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya staff undergoing induction training targeting Access, Retention, Transition, Completion, and skills for livelihood.