Guided by national policy on Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE), which prioritizes expanding access, improving quality and strengthening service delivery through infrastructure, nutrition and teacher professionalism, the Mombasa County Government has intensified investments aimed at giving young learners a strong start.

The county has hired 130 ECDE teachers to improve the quality of instruction across public centres, while rolling out a free school feeding programme that is already benefiting more than 12,000 children, a move officials say has significantly boosted enrolment and learner retention.

Speaking on the county’s ECDE reforms, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the interventions are aligned with the national government’s vision of ensuring every child, regardless of background, has access to quality early learning.

“ECDE is the foundation of a child’s future. When we invest at this level, we are not just building classrooms, we are shaping the future of Mombasa,” said Governor Nassir.

“Our focus is on access, quality and dignity — from proper classrooms and trained teachers to nutrition that allows our children to learn effectively,” he added. 

As part of efforts to improve learning environments, the county is constructing new ECDE centres under the Ondoa Mabati initiative, which seeks to replace makeshift iron-sheet structures with permanent, child-friendly facilities. 

In Majoni, one of the flagship projects is already 80 percent complete, with similar developments ongoing in other wards.

Governor Nassir noted that infrastructure upgrades are critical to creating safe and conducive learning spaces.

“We are moving away from mabati classrooms to permanent structures that reflect the value we place on our children. A dignified learning environment is essential for both learners and teachers,” he said.

The governor also underscored the importance of professionalising the ECDE workforce, describing the recruitment of additional teachers as a key pillar of improving learning outcomes.

“You cannot talk about quality education without trained and motivated teachers. By hiring more ECDE teachers, we are reducing pupil-teacher ratios and ensuring our children receive the attention they deserve,” Nassir added.

Meanwhile, education stakeholders have welcomed the free feeding programme, citing improved attendance and reduced dropout rates, especially in vulnerable communities where many children rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition.

With infrastructure, nutrition and human resource investments gaining momentum, the county government says it remains committed to strengthening early learning as a pathway to long-term educational success.