President William Ruto has launched a KSh500 million annual scholarship programme targeting children from minority and marginalized communities, marking one of the most significant steps yet toward expanding education access for historically underserved groups.
The announcement was made at the State House, Nairobi, during the commemoration of the International Day for Minority Rights.
The President said the new fund will support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue both secondary and tertiary education, with the government working alongside private sector partners to widen the pool of beneficiaries.
As part of the broader initiative, the Ministry of Education will channel an additional Sh200 million each year into an Education Infrastructure Fund. The money will be used to build, renovate and equip schools and middle-level colleges in regions where minority and marginalised communities live, addressing long-standing gaps in learning facilities.
The President also directed the Ministries of Water, Roads and Health to prioritise these regions in their development plans, working with the Equalization Fund to expand access to clean water, improve road networks and strengthen health services. He said these interventions are aligned with the newly launched National Policy on Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous and Marginalized Communities (2025–2035).
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The policy establishes a dedicated Minorities and Marginalised Communities Directorate to coordinate government efforts and proposes the creation of a National Council for Ethnic Minorities and Marginalised Communities through legislation.
“This guarantees a permanent, authoritative voice for minority concerns across government, with focal points in every ministry and county,” the President said.
He instructed that the new Directorate be set up immediately within the Office of the President to oversee implementation across all sectors. County governments have also been directed to establish Minority Inclusion Units and integrate the policy into their upcoming County Integrated Development Plans.
The President said the measures are intended to usher in a new era of inclusion and shared progress, noting that minority communities remain central to Kenya’s identity and essential to the country’s long-term peace and prosperity.
By Masaki Enock
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