By S, KNA
Kenya’s representative to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Suleiman Shahbal, has called on the national and county governments to revive the late former President Mwai Kibaki’s vision of free education and ensure no child is sent home from school due to unpaid fees.
Speaking as the chief guest during the 2026 scholarship award ceremony organized by the Luo Professionals Welfare Association (LUP) at Tudor Pastoral Centre in Mvita Sub-County, Mombasa. Shahbal, who donated Sh200,000 to support the association’s scholarship fund, stressed that education remains the greatest form of wealth an individual can acquire and reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to accessible education for all.
“This has nothing to do with politics. I am a firm believer in free education for everybody,” Shahbal said.
He urged county governments to put in place mechanisms that prevent students from being locked out of learning institutions over school fee arrears, describing such barriers as a major obstacle to national development.
Shahbal commended the Luo Professionals Welfare Association for awarding scholarships worth Sh1.18 million to 61 bright but needy students from the Luo community. He described the initiative as noble and selfless, and encouraged other community-based professional groups to adopt similar programmes.
“You give nothing when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give,” he said.
The EALA representative further highlighted the value of unity within the Luo community in Mombasa, noting that comparable efforts by other communities such as the Kamba, Mijikenda, and Bajuni would significantly advance education and social progress across the Coast region.
Outlining his personal vision for transforming Mombasa, Shahbal announced plans to sponsor students from each of the county’s six constituencies to pursue higher education both locally and abroad.
He explained that by selecting 20 students annually from every constituency, the programme would produce more than 600 graduates within five years, young professionals equipped with new ideas, vision, and perspectives to drive change in the city.
“These graduates would return with new ideas, a new vision and a new way of looking at life. They would completely change Mombasa,” Shahbal said.
LUP Chairman Pius Oketch thanked Shahbal for his generous contribution and strong advocacy for education, saying the support would go a long way in helping vulnerable students complete their studies.
END/Education/Ngatia/Githaiga
Photo caption
Pic 1: Kenya’s representative to the East African Legislative Assembly Suleiman Shahbal addresses guests during the Luo Professionals Welfare Association scholarship award ceremony at Tudor Pastoral Centre in Mvita sub county, Mombasa. Shahbal donated Sh200,000 towards the scholarship fund and called for the revival of free education in the country.
Pic 2: EALA MP Suleiman Shahbal congratulates one of the 61 scholarship beneficiaries during the award ceremony organized by the Luo Professionals Welfare Association at Tudor Pastoral Centre in Mvita sub county, Mombasa. The association disbursed scholarships worth Sh1.18 million to needy and bright students from the community.
Photos by Sitati Reagan
