The government has announced a major scholarship initiative aimed at helping more than 12,000 students join senior school without financial barriers. The move comes as authorities push to ensure all learners transition smoothly from junior to senior levels.
Basic Education PS Julius Bitok unveiled the 2026 Elimu and CAMFED scholarships during a ceremony at Moi Girls, Isinya. The programme will assist 12,337 learners, including 10,000 Elimu scholarships funded by the World Bank and 2,337 CAMFED sponsorships for girls in Kajiado County.
The scholarships, which will run for three years, target high-performing learners from disadvantaged households. Since 2020, the Elimu programme has helped 62,000 students, with special focus on vulnerable groups such as refugees, host communities, children from informal settlements, and families with limited income.
Recipients of the scholarships will receive school fees, pocket money, transport to and from school, and essential toiletries. Candidates are carefully screened through home visits conducted by a team from the Ministry of Education, together with chiefs and village elders, to verify genuine need.
The initiative comes at a time when many students are unable to join senior school due to lack of funds, even as the government works to enforce its 100 per cent transition policy. Chiefs are assisting in identifying learners who have not yet reported to school.
Following presidential directives, all students who have not yet bought uniforms or paid fees are being allowed to join their schools.
“In accordance with Section 32 of the Basic Education Act, 2013, nо leamer shall be required to pay admission fees for admission to a public senior school. In the same vein, in line with Section 34(5) of the Basic Education Act, 2013, no child shall be denied admission to a public school. Parents and guardians are also reminded that it is an offence, punishable by law under Section 31 of the Basic Education Act, 2013, to fail to present their children for admission. Any report of non-compliance with the foregoing directives shall be made to the nearest Education Office or National Government Administration Office for appropriate action in accordance with the applicable law,” Education CS Julius Ogamba stated.
Sub-County Directors of Education have been tasked with collecting information on students who join senior school wearing their junior school uniforms or without paying fees and submitting the details to the Ministry of Education headquarters.
