The Ministry of Education (MoE) has invited vulnerable learners nationwide to apply for the 2026 ELIMU Scholarship Programme.
This programme targets students transitioning from primary to secondary school under the 2025 KSEA cycle.
The scholarship is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education for children from disadvantaged households, refugee camps, and urban informal settlements.
Administered through the Kenya Kwanza Foundation (KKF), the programme will support bright but needy learners in all 47 counties, with a dedicated window for learners in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab refugee camps. Special consideration will also be given to applicants living with disabilities.
A Ministry official noted that the programme remains one of the government’s strongest tools for fighting inequality.
“Every learner deserves a fair chance, regardless of where they come from,” the official said.
“This scholarship targets the children who would otherwise fall through the cracks.”
According to the announcement, only candidates who sat the 2025 KSEA from public schools, junior schools, camp-based institutions, and selected informal settlements qualify. Refugee learners must submit their forms through UNHCR-supported camp education offices.
The Ministry emphasised that the programme targets explicitly orphaned learners, children from chronically ill households, those affected by disability, and survivors of neglect or abuse.
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“We want to reach the learners who need this the most — those whose ability to continue with schooling is genuinely threatened,” said a Sub-County Education Director involved in the selection process.
Applications can be made online at scholarship.jkuat.ac.ke or submitted manually at Sub-County Education offices by 5 pm on December 31, 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews conducted by Community Selection Advisory Committees (CSAC). The Ministry warned that only those who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered.
A CSAC representative from Nairobi explained,
“Our vetting is thorough. This ensures fairness and transparency so that the limited slots go to deserving learners.”
Successful beneficiaries will receive school fees, uniforms, transport, shopping, pocket money, mentorship and psychosocial support for the full duration of their secondary education.
The Ministry has urged the public to spread the word to reach all potential applicants.
“Let every parent, guardian, teacher and community leader share this announcement so no deserving child is left behind,” the Ministry appealed.
By Joseph Mambili
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