Govt bars Kilifi school meals aid after pupils forced into reciting Hindu prayers before getting food
By William Muthama, September 20, 2025The government has suspended a school meals programme in 17 Ganze schools after videos surfaced showing pupils being compelled to recite Hindu prayers before receiving food.
Speaking in an interview, Kilifi County Commissioner Josephat Kibiwott confirmed that the meals programme had been suspended in all affected schools.
He explained that the decision followed a review of the viral videos and a concern for ethical practices in schools.
“We have stopped that children’s foundation from supplying food to our schools because we saw it as unfit. If you want to help people, help in a good way, not by forcing pupils to do what is not right for them, as you have seen in those video clips,” Kibiwott told the media.
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The Commissioner further explained that while the food programme had been running in the schools since 2019, the requirement for pupils to recite prayers was introduced only this third term.
“We received reports that in August, during the holiday, teachers from 17 schools, 16 primary and one secondary, were summoned to Mombasa for a meeting where the feeding programme system was changed. That’s how these practices came about,” Kibiwott added.
The suspension followed a day-long review with the County Education Team, which assessed the welfare of pupils and examined the circumstances surrounding the videos.
Authorities also confiscated several religious materials found in the schools as part of the ongoing investigation.
Viral footage sparks outrage
The clips, recorded in Ganze, showed hundreds of pupils from multiple schools being directed to perform Hindu prayers before meals.
Some videos captured head teachers guiding students, while others showed learners following instructions in isolated areas.
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Social media users quickly shared the clips, prompting public criticism and calls for accountability.
While officials acted swiftly, the suspension has raised concerns about students in drought-affected Ganze, many of whom rely on school meals.
County authorities assured the public that alternative arrangements are being explored to continue feeding pupils while investigations into the matter continue.