Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has announced plans to introduce a levy on imported junk foods to support the school feeding programme. During a session with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education on June 11, Kipsang revealed that the Ministry of Education is in discussions with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) about this potential levy.
The proposed levy aims to ensure that all funds collected are directed exclusively to the school feeding programme, which is currently experiencing financial challenges. Kipsang emphasized that this strategy is part of broader efforts to sustain the programme amid budget cuts.
Additionally, he mentioned that the ministry is advocating for 2.5 percent of the country’s revenue to be allocated to the programme. While the exact levy rate and implementation date were not disclosed, the new tax is expected to affect imported junk foods such as cakes, biscuits, chocolates, sweets, processed meats like bacon, and sugary drinks.
The introduction of this levy is anticipated to increase the prices of these food items. However, it is seen as a necessary step to secure funding for the school feeding programme, which has seen a significant reduction in its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The 2024/2025 budget allocation for the programme is Ksh3 billion, down from Ksh5.4 billion in the current budget.
Despite these financial constraints, PS Kipsang reassured committee members of Kenya’s commitment to achieving universal school feeding by 2030 as part of the Global School Meals Coalition. The programme currently supports 2.6 million learners in 8,185 schools and aims to expand to 10 million learners.
The school feeding initiative, which began in 1979 following a severe drought, has been crucial in preventing school dropouts and ensuring that children across the country receive nutritious meals.
Do you believe that introducing a levy on imported junk foods is an effective way to fund the school feeding programme? How might this impact the prices of everyday food items for consumers?