Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has condemned the government’s decision to withdraw the lunch subsidy for Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel.

Speaking at  Kameme TV on Monday morning, June 30, 2025, the former vice president warned that the move risks damaging the morale and effectiveness of the military. 

“The clarion core of the army is moving with the stomach. When you get into issues related to their meals. You are even compromising the morale of the defence forces,” he stated.

He questioned the logic behind the policy shift and demanded greater transparency from government officials responsible for the rollout.

“We condemn the rollout of the new system. I don’t know who is advising the government. If they don’t have money, they should just say so,” she said.

Under the pay-as-you-eat (PAYE) system, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, KDF personnel are expected to pay for their meals out of pocket.

The rollout of the PAYE system immediately replaces the traditional exchequer-funded lunch programme, despite disquiet from a section of servicemen and women of lower ranks, who heavily depend on the subsidy initiative for survival. 

The rollout

The rollout was communicated through a letter from the Kenya Army Headquarters dated June 23, 2025, signed by Chief of Logistics Brigadier Eric Nzioki Kitusya, titled ‘Implementation of Pay-As-You-Eat (PAYE) Program’.

“The implementation of the subject program is scheduled to commence on 01 July 2025. In this regard, authority is granted to you to demand Ration Scale Four (4) for fourteen (14) days with effect from 1st July 2025 for use as seed capital for the programme. Your demands to reach this headquarters not later than 25th June 2025.”

 

 “Please note that it is envisaged that the proceeds of the seed capital will form a self-sustaining revolving fund to be administered by the Pay-As-You-Eat Management Committees to oversee the operation of the messing facilities,” the letter further reads.

 “Further, you are advised to utilise the existing messing infrastructure/facilities/amenities to support the Pay-As-You-Eat programme. Additional requirements will continue to be considered progressively on a case-by-case basis in the 2025/2026 financial year.”

Responding to the new changes set to take effect on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence stated, “The decision to transition from the exchequer-funded lunch program for service members to the Pay-As-You-Eat system has been necessitated by the need to streamline budgetary allocation, efficiency in use of government resources, facilitating access to a variety of meals that suit individual preferences, and alignment to best military practices both regionally and internationally.” 

“The exchequer-funded lunch system has proved non-cost-effective. It does not offer flexibility of time, nor does it provide the convenience of a feeding place, and it has been faulted for loss of working hours due to long queues and duplication of ration scales when service members are assigned to different camps,” the ministry added.

The ration cash allowance was introduced into the Kenya Defence Forces in 2000, when the provision for other meals, including breakfast and dinner, was discontinued. By Nancy Marende, People Daily