Written by Benard Namunane
Thousands of young learners across Nakuru County are now accessing better learning environments, improved nutrition, and quality teaching following a major investment in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) by H.E. Governor Susan Kihika’s administration. The county’s expanded infrastructure, teacher recruitment and the introduction of a countywide school feeding programme have significantly boosted enrolment and strengthened the foundation of education for children.
Since taking office, Governor Kihika has prioritised early learning as a critical pillar in building a skilled and productive future generation. Her administration has expanded the number of public ECDE centres from 1,003 to 1,073, ensuring more children have access to quality education closer to their homes.
To support the growing enrolment, the county has invested heavily in modern learning infrastructure. A total of 230 new classrooms have been constructed, while 82 toilet blocks have been built to improve sanitation and provide a safe, child-friendly learning environment. Additionally, 311 classrooms have been fully equipped with appropriate learning facilities, while 12 modern kitchens have been constructed to support the county’s school feeding programme.
One of the flagship initiatives driving increased enrolment is the county’s enriched porridge programme, popularly known as the Uji Programme. Under the initiative, every learner in all public ECDE centres receives nutritious fortified porridge from Monday to Friday. The programme has not only improved nutrition among young learners but has also encouraged more parents to enrol their children in school.
As a result, enrolment has risen significantly from about 58,000 learners to more than 66,000, reflecting growing public confidence in the county’s investment in early childhood education.
Recognising that quality education goes beyond classrooms, the county has also strengthened the provision of teaching and learning materials. Every public ECDE centre has received instructional materials for Psychomotor and Religious Education, including learner textbooks and teachers’ guides.
The Department of Education has further procured the new, rationalised Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) designs for PP1 and PP2, along with additional Language and Mathematics course books for both learners and teachers. The learning materials, valued at KSh17 million, have been distributed to all public ECDE centres across the county to ensure uniform implementation of the curriculum.
The county has equally invested in strengthening its teaching workforce. Governor Kihika’s administration has employed 192 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, while confirming another 306 teachers for permanent and pensionable employment, improving motivation, job security, and stability within the sector.
To enhance the quality of instruction, all ECDE officers have undergone retooling in the Competency-Based Curriculum, while approximately 3,000 ECDE teachers receive annual capacity-building training to keep them up to date on modern teaching approaches and curriculum delivery.
The sustained investment in infrastructure, nutrition, teaching resources and human capital reflects Governor Kihika’s broader vision of giving every child in Nakuru an equal opportunity to succeed from the earliest years of learning. By strengthening ECDE, the county is laying a solid educational foundation that will lead to better learning outcomes, improve school retention, and prepare thousands of children for lifelong success.