President William Ruto recently pledged to purchase a chapati-making machine to support Nairobi’s “Dishi na County” school feeding program. During a visit to St. Teresa Girls Secondary School in Mathare, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja requested assistance in acquiring a machine capable of producing one million chapatis daily to meet the needs of over 300,000 students benefiting from the program. In response, President Ruto agreed, stating, “I have agreed to buy a chapati-making machine. Governor, your job now is to find where to buy it.”
This initiative has sparked a variety of reactions among Kenyans. Many have taken to social media to humorously question the feasibility of producing one million chapatis daily, with some creating AI-generated images depicting exaggerated scenarios of mass chapati production. The lighthearted banter has led to President Ruto being nicknamed “El Chapo,” a playful blend of “chapati” and the infamous Mexican drug lord’s moniker.
Critics have also voiced concerns about the project’s practicality and its alignment with the country’s pressing needs. Some argue that the resources allocated for such an endeavor could be better utilized to address more urgent issues facing the nation.
Despite the mixed reactions, the chapati-making machine is intended to enhance the nutritional offerings of the school feeding program, which has been providing meals to Nairobi’s students since June 2023. The machine’s proposed capacity would significantly streamline meal preparation, ensuring that students receive adequate nutrition during school hours.
Why is president ruto promising chapati makers and not school items to the less privileged eg school shoes and uniforms?
