Officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will be required to dig deeper into their pockets to cater for meals starting July 1, following the government’s decision to scrap the exchequer-funded lunch subsidy.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has introduced a Pay-As-You-Eat (PAYE) system to replace the traditional subsidised lunch program. This move has sparked concern, especially among junior officers who have long relied on the subsidised meals amid tough economic conditions.
According to the ministry, the new policy aims to streamline budgetary allocations and enhance the efficiency of government resource utilisation. Officials argue that the decision was driven by the need to modernise operations within the military as part of broader public sector reforms.
Further, the ministry clarified that the change is not designed to remove previously enjoyed benefits but is instead aligned with international military best practices. It emphasised that the goal is to offer flexibility and convenience to service members and improve cost-effectiveness across the board.
“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 ministry said.
“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 statement added.
Already, the Kenya Army Headquarters has issued a circular to all operational bases and camps regarding the transition to the new payment system, which takes effect tomorrow.
The communiqué directed the camps to prepare adequately by ensuring that existing mess infrastructure, facilities, and amenities are ready to support the Pay-As-You-Eat program.
It further noted that any additional requirements will be addressed progressively on a case-by-case basis during the 2025/2026 Financial Year.
Over the past two years, the government has intensified efforts to consolidate public spending as part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at reducing the national budget deficit and managing mounting public debt.
The National Treasury has consistently pursued expenditure rationalisation policies, including budget cuts across ministries, state departments, and semi-autonomous government agencies. These measures have included a freeze on new projects, merging overlapping agencies, and limiting non-essential travel and allowances.
This includes the adoption of performance-based budgeting and a shift toward cost-sharing models in non-core state functions, such as subsidised school meals, health insurance, and military logistics. The scrapping of the KDF lunch subsidy is part of the wider austerity push as the government seeks to trim recurrent expenditure and redirect funds to development priorities.
