A total of 1,129 learners from vulnerable families joining Grade 10 in Garissa County this year have benefited from the 2026 Elimu Scholarship Programme, a move expected to significantly ease the financial burden on needy households and boost access to senior school education.
Out of the total beneficiaries, 245 learners are from Dadaab Refugee Camp, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive education that also caters for refugee children and other marginalized groups.
The scholarship programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Education through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) and targets learners transitioning to senior secondary school under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony held at NEP Girls High School in Garissa town, JKF County Coordinator for Garissa, Nelson Oloo, said the programme was designed to promote equity, suitability and long-term economic benefits for beneficiaries.
According to Oloo, the Elimu Scholarship is comprehensive and will cover school fees, uniforms, shopping, pocket money, as well as transport to and from school for the selected learners.
“This exercise was very rigorous. We ensured that the set criteria was strictly followed. We picked students who scored five points and above, drawn from disadvantaged families, vulnerable groups and persons living with disabilities,” said Oloo.
He added that beyond financial support, the programme places emphasis on discipline, mentorship and close monitoring of learners to ensure they complete their studies successfully.
“We believe that this programme will enhance the suitability as well as the economic advantages accruing from scholarship beneficiaries. We wish all our scholars a fruitful stay at school. Let them be disciplined because we will be monitoring and mentoring them throughout the year,” he said.
Garissa Township Deputy County Commissioner Sebastian Okiring called for 100 per cent transition at all levels of education, especially in cases where learners have received government scholarships and other forms of support.
Okiring assured parents and stakeholders that the 2026 selection process was free, fair and transparent, noting that every qualified learner was interviewed before being awarded a slot.
“Garissa is one of the counties that benefited most from this programme, with 884 slots allocated. The government is focused on ensuring that our children access quality education, achieve full transition to the next level and do not drop out of school,” Okiring said.
He further revealed that the selection exercise was chaired by his office and conducted openly to ensure accountability.
“We want to call upon parents to continue supporting these children and not abandon them simply because the government is assisting. Education is a shared responsibility,” he added.
Among the beneficiaries is Marian Abdi Mohamed, who sat her Grade 9 final examination at Garissa Primary School and Junior Secondary. Marian was placed at Makueni Girls High School for Grade 10, but her parents were unable to afford the school fees.
She recounted how her parents made two unsuccessful attempts to transfer her to a local school in Garissa, a situation that left her devastated and close to giving up on her education.
“I had lost hope and decided to stay at home. I am so happy for this opportunity; I don’t even have words to express my joy,” Marian said.
She credited her junior secondary school teacher for encouraging her to apply for the scholarship, a decision she says has transformed her future.
“I want to tell girls in my community to keep dreaming. Many girls here drop out of school, but I believe that what a boy can do, a girl can do even better. I want to be a role model and show that women from this region can succeed in their careers,” she added.
Another beneficiary, Abdiaz Mohamed, shared a similar experience. Despite being placed at his dream school, Garissa High School, Abdiaz had little hope of joining due to financial constraints before learning that he had been selected for the scholarship.
The 2026 Elimu Scholarship Programme is targeting thousands of needy and vulnerable learners across all 47 counties. The programme also covers refugee children living in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab refugee camps.
According to the Ministry of Education, eligible candidates must have attained achievement levels ranging between “Meeting Expectation” and “Exceeding Expectation”, corresponding to Levels 5 to 8, in their assessments. This criterion applies to both boys and girls enrolled in public schools.
Learners with special needs and disabilities qualify for the scholarship regardless of their achievement level, in line with the government’s inclusive education policy.
Education stakeholders have lauded the programme, noting that it plays a critical role in promoting equity, reducing school dropouts and empowering learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to realise their academic and career aspirations.
By Erick Kyalo
