As Kenyans continue to struggle with the food crisis that has hit the country hard, Kilifi on Thursday launched a Sh50 million free milk plan.

Making the unveiling, Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi stated that the programme will be available to children in public Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE)  schools.

Mr. Kingi mentioned that the pilot project is meant to ensure that children stay in school.

"This milk is specifically for ECD children and not for primary or secondary school students," the Governor said.

Mr. Kingi warned teachers against misusing the milk stating that: "Teachers and caregivers should also not use this milk to prepare their tea. We will punish those who deviate from this course".

According to the plan, all the 799 public ECD centers will be supplied with milk throughout the second term. However, private facilities will not be included in the first phase due to financial constraints.

"We are targeting 89,000 children in the first phase. The focus is to include private ECD centres in the second phase,"  he stated.

The pilot will involve children getting 200ml packet of milk twice a week and this will be increased to a packet a day.

"It is motivation for our children. We anticipate the milk will boost their morale," Senator Stewart Madzayo noted.

Milk has become a rare commodity in the country as the prices have hit ridiculous prices.

A 500ml now goes for as much as Sh85.