KDF OFFICERS TO START PAYING FOR FOOD FROM TUESDAY

Starting Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Kenya Defense Forces(KDF) officers will no longer receive free lunch as the government transitions from a taxpayer funded meal program to a self-sustaining pay as you eat(PAYE) model. The new policy replaces the long standing lunch subsidy, particularly relied upon by junior officers. Soldiers will now either pay in cash for meals at military facilities or have the cost deducted directly from their monthly salaries. A directive from the Kenya Army headquarters dated June 23rd and signed by Chief of Logistics, Brigadier Eric Nzioki Kitusya, officially outlined the implementation plan. The letter titled “Implementation of Pay-as-you-eat(PAYE) Program clarified that the funds generated from the 14-day ration demand would be used to establish a revolving fund to sustain the new meal system.

 Military units have been instructed to use existing kitchens and dining facilities, with additional needs to be reviewed case by case in the 2025/2026 financial year. The Ministry of Defense defended the move, citing efficiency, cost effectiveness, and alignment with global military practices. The new policy also aims to streamline budgetary allocations and enhance efficiency of government resource utilization. The ministry also highlighted inefficiencies in the current system, including wasted working hours due to long queues and logistical challenges when officers are reassigned. The shift has raised concerns particularly among lower ranking officers who argue that their already strained salaries cannot accommodate the new costs.

 Past attempts to introduce PAYE system faced resistance, but the government revived the plan in January 2025, notifying KDF officers to prepare for the transition. Ration cash allowance was introduced into the KDF in the year 2000, when the provision for other meals, including breakfast and dinner, was discontinued. The allowance has since undergone several reviews to cushion service members against inflation.