By Brian Said Iha, July 21, 2026
Kiambu County has constructed 512 modern Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, significantly expanding access to quality early learning and increasing enrolment from 32,000 to more than 50,000 learners across the county.
The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Kimani Wamatangi under the county’s “Leave No Child Behind” programme, aims to strengthen the foundation of education by improving learning infrastructure, enhancing child welfare and ensuring every child has access to a conducive environment during their formative years.
The newly constructed ECDE centres have transformed the county’s early learning landscape, with each facility featuring modern PP1 and PP2 classrooms, administrative offices, child-friendly ablution blocks and well-equipped outdoor play areas fitted with swings, tunnels and sandpits designed to promote holistic child development.
According to the county government, the facilities have been built to provide young learners with an environment comparable to that offered by private kindergartens, giving children from all backgrounds access to quality education regardless of their economic status.
Governor Wamatangi said investing in early childhood education remains one of the county’s top priorities, noting that quality learning at an early age lays the foundation for improved academic performance and lifelong success.
To improve learner retention and support children’s health, the county has also strengthened its school feeding programme by providing pupils with a daily cup of fortified porridge, popularly known as uji, three boiled eggs every week and fresh milk every Thursday through the “Maziwa Freshi na Wamatangi” initiative.
County officials said the nutrition programme has played a critical role in improving school attendance, learner concentration and overall child health while easing the financial burden on families struggling with the rising cost of living.
In addition to providing meals, the county government has introduced a programme to distribute free learning materials, including exercise books, writing materials and classroom teaching aids, ensuring that every child has the basic resources required for effective learning.
The initiative has significantly reduced education-related expenses for parents while promoting equal learning opportunities among children enrolled in public ECDE centres.
The county has also invested in improving the quality of instruction by recruiting additional ECDE teachers and expanding the county payroll to address staffing shortages in learning institutions.
Newly recruited tutors are also benefiting from specialized professional training aimed at equipping them with modern teaching methods and child-centred learning approaches aligned with national education standards.
Education officials say the combined investment in infrastructure, nutrition, teaching resources and teacher development has greatly enhanced the quality of early childhood education throughout Kiambu County.
The reforms have also restored confidence in public ECDE institutions, leading to a notable increase in the number of parents transferring their children from private kindergartens to county-managed centres.
Many parents have welcomed the initiative, saying the availability of modern classrooms, nutritious meals and free learning materials has made quality education more affordable while providing children with a safe and stimulating learning environment.
County education officials noted that the surge in enrolment demonstrates growing public confidence in the government’s investment in early childhood education and reflects the positive impact of sustained funding in the sector.
The county administration reaffirmed its commitment to further expanding access to quality ECDE services by constructing additional learning facilities, improving educational resources and strengthening support programmes aimed at ensuring every child receives a strong educational foundation.
Governor Wamatangi said the county will continue prioritizing investments in education as part of its broader strategy to improve human capital development and ensure that no child is left behind in accessing quality early learning opportunities.
