Controversy has erupted at State House Day Pre-School after headteacher Mary Saburi rejected a county directive that sought to discipline and transfer her, raising fresh questions about how Nairobi County under Governor Johnson Sakaja is handling its Dishi na County programme.
The dispute has drawn attention to the county’s management style, with critics saying the project is being pushed in ways that appear heavy handed despite it being a county initiative meant to support children and families.
Saburi had served as center manager at the school for nearly a year before county education officials made a sudden visit on Monday.
During the visit, she was informed that she had been transferred to Kirigu Pre-School and demoted to a regular pre-school teacher.
The transfer letter claimed that she opposed the Dishi na County school feeding programme at her current and previous schools. Saburi strongly denied the accusations and said she was being blamed for decisions made by parents before she even joined the school.
She explained that parents had already rejected the programme in 2024 because they wanted food to be prepared at the school instead of being cooked elsewhere.
According to Saburi, she arrived months after that decision and only followed what parents had agreed. She now says the county’s action feels unfair and poorly handled.
Her frustration also reflects wider concerns from some education stakeholders who believe Governor Sakaja’s administration is more focused on forcing the project rather than listening to school communities.
Saburi insists that she was never summoned for any disciplinary hearing and was not given a chance to defend herself. She described the transfer as shocking and said proper procedures were ignored.
Her call for the Ministry of Education to intervene shows how the issue has grown beyond a simple staff transfer and into a bigger debate about fairness and transparency in county leadership.
Nairobi County Chief Officer for ECD and Vocational Training Ahmed Abdi defended the decision, saying the transfer was routine and not related to the Dishi na County programme. However, Saburi remains firm that there is a hidden agenda behind the move and has vowed to remain at the school while seeking legal action. Her stance highlights growing tension between county officials and some education professionals who feel decisions are being made without enough dialogue.
Dishi na County was launched in 2023 to support public primary schools and pre-schools in Nairobi by providing meals to learners.
While the programme was formalized under the 2026 school feeding policy, participation is encouraged but not legally mandatory.
Critics now argue that Governor Sakaja’s government should respect school choices and ensure that projects meant to help children do not end up creating conflict among teachers, parents, and county officials.