The Senate Committee on Education has lauded Mombasa County’s progress on Early Childhood Development (ECD) for its investment in infrastructure, feeding programs and efforts to ensure equitable access to education.
The committee, led by the Chairperson Senator Betty Montet, visited the region as part of their nationwide oversight tour.
During a briefing with Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, the senators were informed that currently the county has over 44,820 ECD learners in 94 public facilities, 24 special needs centers, and 955 registered private institutions.
“We are committed to ensuring that every child in Mombasa receives quality early education,” said Nassir.
“The county fully sponsors ECD learners with an allocation of Sh3,200 per child on yearly basis. Parents do not contribute; this is entirely covered by the county government,” he said.
The funding supports teaching, learning materials, and infrastructure. The governor confirmed that 12 new centers are under construction, and two state-of-the-art schools have already been completed at the cost of Sh29million.
Each of the centres has four classrooms, a staffroom, sanitation facilities and a dedicated play area.
However, the Taita Taveta Senator Mwashushe Mwaruma was quick to seek clarification on the uniformity of costs, wondering whether 29 million was the standard cost for all the centers.
The county officials responded that the figure includes provisions for future expansion, with structures built on strong foundations to accommodate the projected population growth.
The county’s ECD feeding program was also highlighted, where 8,000 to 10,000 children receive hot meals daily at a cost of Sh30 per child.
Additionally, the county has employed 342 ECD teachers 210 on permanent and pensionable terms, with the rest on temporary contracts.
Nassir noted that many teachers were hired by the previous administration and that the county was working to streamline employment terms including salary and medical insurance cover.
“No child should miss school because of hunger as it is not a once-in-a-while initiative; meals are provided daily,” said the governor.
“It’s a conversation worth having,” said the governor, adding that ECD is the foundation of our education system, and we are already investing heavily in the programme.
Nassir also outlined how the county has revamped its TVET institutions to align with market demands by introducing new courses in maritime studies to capitalize on the region’s economic potential.
“We have also ambitious plans to transform Mtongwe Vocational Training Centre into a Blue Economy Hub that trains and equips individuals with skills beneficial to our Coastal Economy,” he added.
The governor also highlighted the county’s program for recognizing prior learning by offering certificates to those already working in trades, transport and seafarers.
The senators further questioned how such a robust program could be maintained when vocational training had reportedly received no budget allocation.
The governor clarified that Sh15 million had been set aside for vocational training, where Sh4 million had already disbursed.
Among the plans is the conversion of a swimming pool into a blue economy facility to train youth for maritime employment in Mtongwe, Likoni.
Meanwhile, Mombasa County has prioritized sustainable water access by drilling boreholes in 20 schools to ensure learners have access to clean drinking water.
The county is also working to ensure that sanitation facilities meet acceptable standards, particularly in ECD centers that share space with primary schools.
At the same time, the governor said the county is investing in youth skills through the Skills Mtaani initiative, which includes financial literacy and vocational training.
The governor also highlighted initiatives to help youth obtain birth certificates and national IDs to ensure they are not locked out of education and job opportunities.
On their part, the Senate Committee noted that Mombasa is among the counties showing real progress in implementing ECD programs.
“This is our seventh county to visit and we’re impressed,” said Montet.
“Mombasa is laying a solid foundation, especially for those who may not transition to university. That’s the real power of devolution,” she said
The committee is expected to submit a report with recommendations on policy, funding, and employment structure to the Senate
By Shamim Musa andbReagan Sitati
