Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers are facing uncertainty and anxiety following the government’s announcement to phase out the long-standing lunch subsidy program. In a memo issued by Major General Mohammed Nur Hassan of the Ministry of Defence, officers were informed that the subsidy will be replaced with a “pay-as-you-eat” (PAYE) system effective July 1, 2025.
The memo, addressed to service commanders, cited inefficiencies and ineffectiveness in the current subsidy program as the primary reasons for the transition. “The transition from the existing exchequer-funded lunch program to the pay-as-you-eat system has been necessitated by the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of the former system,” the memo stated.
Under the new PAYE system, soldiers will be required to pay for their meals directly, with the Ministry of Defence mandating the implementation of cost-effective cashless payment systems, including mobile money paybill services, to facilitate meal bookings and payments. The system is expected to be fully operational by March 31, 2025, ahead of the July rollout.
The decision follows a comprehensive review by a Ministry of Defence committee, which included representatives from the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, and Kenya Navy. The committee assessed the pros and cons of the subsidy program before recommending its termination.
While the Ministry of Defence has defended the move, stating that it will save the government approximately Ksh2 to 3 billion annually, the announcement has sparked concern among junior officers. Many fear the new system will place an additional financial burden on them, forcing them to dig deeper into their pockets to cover meal costs.
In a statement, the Ministry emphasized that the PAYE system aligns with best military practices both regionally and internationally. “The decision to transition to pay-as-you-eat has been necessitated by the need to streamline budgetary allocations, promote efficiency in the use of government resources, and facilitate access to a variety of meals that suit individual preferences,” the statement read.
The move comes at a time when the government is implementing austerity measures to address fiscal challenges. However, the abrupt shift has left many KDF officers questioning the timing and potential impact on their welfare.
As the July 2025 deadline approaches, service commanders have been directed to ensure a smooth transition to the new system, with a focus on minimizing disruptions to the daily routines of soldiers.
The decision to scrap the lunch subsidy marks a significant shift in the welfare provisions for KDF personnel, raising questions about how the changes will affect morale and operational efficiency within the forces.
