Nairobi: Vihiga governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo has hosted a delegation from the Sustainable Organic Farming Development Initiative (SOFDI), led by Founder Brigitte Frey and International Director Autumn Totton, who paid him a courtesy call at his office. The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of SOFDI’s ongoing programmes in Vihiga County and exploring new areas of collaboration to enhance their impact.

According to Kenya News Agency, SOFDI has operated in the county for the past 25 years and has been instrumental in implementing the School Feeding Programme for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE). The initiative has improved school enrolment, attendance, and learners’ performance across the county. Currently, 55 ECDE centres are benefiting from the programme, reaching a total of 2,827 learners this year alone.

Dr. Ottichilo lauded SOFDI’s contribution, particularly its agro-ecology approach, describing it as a sustainable model for community development. He expressed his admiration for the programme’s sustainability and effectiveness, emphasizing the county’s plans to deepen collaboration with SOFDI by involving all departments and linking the initiative with Vocational Training Centres to equip learners with self-employment skills.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote education, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. Also present during the meeting were County Executive Committee Member for Education Anne C. Desma, Chief Officer Dominic Luvavo, Director for ECDE Victor Serede, Sabatia ECDE Programmes Officer Musungu Mugoha, and the SOFDI delegation.