Garissa will be among three counties that will benefit from the supply of free milk under a programme unveiled by Makueni county First Ladies Association in partnership with Non-communicable disease Alliance.
The other two counties to benefit from the programme include Makueni and West Pokot as pupils will receive free milk.
The move is part of efforts by the association and the Alliance to promote healthy lifestyles and diet for effective learning of pupils especially pupils from arid and semi counties.
Makueni first lady Nazi Kibwana said most of the pupils come from areas where they hardly eat anything and are likely to suffer from non-communicable diseases.
Ms Kibwana, speaking during the head teachers meeting at Makueni Boys, said the free milk programme is aimed at eradicating non-communicable diseases and implementation of NCD strategies.
”The free milk programme has been launched in efforts to boost pupils’ nutritional needs and eradicate non-communicable diseases, diseases that are related to poverty, and unbalanced diets,” she said.
Makueni County Education and ICT Chief Officer, Ms Damaris Makau, said the programme will start in schools that are most affected and that the initiative will run for three months.
During the programme, a health review of the pupils will be done before the distribution of the milk and after three months another review of their health will be done to ascertain any changes.