- The Kisumu County Assembly Education and Social Protection Bill 2026 has reached the second reading stage following committee amendments.
- The county assembly has increased scholarship allocations from Sh2 million to Sh5.2 million per ward, benefiting 800 students.
- The committee has incorporated public participation input gathered from forums held across wards and sub-counties in June 2026.
The Kisumu County Assembly Education and Social Protection Bill 2026 has reached the second reading stage in the county assembly, after members considered proposed amendments tabled by the Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services Committee.
The Bill, tabled as County Assembly Bill Number 2 of 2026, was presented before members on Wednesday evening by committee chairperson Seth Okumu, the East Seme MCA, with the house reverting to the committee stage as Okumu took members through the amendments under the guidance of Deputy Speaker Nereah Okombo. Other members of the committee include Vitalis K’Omudho, the vice chairperson, alongside Bill Oliver, Kennedy Ouko, Samuel Onyango, James Omollo and Benson Adega.
Okumu said the Bill is intended to repeal and replace the Kisumu County Education Funds Act of 2016, establishing a structured fund to support education access and social welfare for vulnerable groups. He said it creates a clear system for managing and disbursing money to needy and vulnerable students in the county, while advancing the progressive realisation of the right to education as outlined in Articles 43(1)(f) and 53(1)(b) of the Constitution. The Bill also expands the scope of the 2016 education-only model to include wider social protection measures for vulnerable residents.
Okumu said the Bill underwent its initial stages, including its First Reading in the County Assembly in June 2026, before the assembly held public participation forums across various wards and sub-counties from June 25 to June 30, 2026, allowing residents and civil society groups to submit memoranda and input.
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Among the amendments introduced is a provision allowing partners beyond non-governmental organisations to be incorporated into education programmes, a departure from the earlier proposal that restricted such involvement to NGOs alone. Okumu said the committee tasked with identifying needy students will also be required to conduct actual visitations of targeted groups to ensure equity in the selection process.
On funding, Okumu said two per cent of the county budget will be channelled towards education through scholarships. He said allocations have risen from Sh2 million per ward under the old Act to Sh5.2 million per ward under the new framework, with each ward set to receive ten scholarships, benefiting a total of 800 students countywide.
Outlining the Bill’s anticipated benefits, Okumu said it will increase access to quality education and reduce educational inequality within the county, while promoting enrolment, retention, completion and transition rates in educational institutions within and serving Kisumu.
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He added that it will support the progressive elimination of poverty as a barrier to educational attainment, advance gender equity in educational access and completion, and support the full inclusion of persons with disability in educational programmes. Okumu said the Bill will further promote social protection for vulnerable households through targeted educational financial assistance and provide for effective and transparent governance of public funds dedicated to education. He assured members that, once passed, the Bill will ensure equity in identifying needy students across the county.
By Fredrick Odiero
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