MoE calls for 2026 Elimu Scholarship programme applications

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba. /FILE

The Ministry of Education has announced the start of applications for the 2026 Elimu Scholarship Programme.

The programme is targeting thousands of needy and vulnerable learners from all 47 counties, including refugee children living in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab camps.

The scholarship, implemented through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF), will support learners joining senior school in 2026.

In a notice released by the ministry and published on Tuesday’s issue of My Gov, officials said the scholarships aim to cushion learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and ensure they transition to senior school.

“The Ministry of Education, through The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, is awarding Elimu Scholarships in all counties to needy and vulnerable learners who will be joining senior school in 2026,” the statement read.

To qualify, applicants must have sat the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) in a public junior school.

The ministry stated that eligible candidates must have attained achievement levels ranging between “Meeting Expectation” and “Exceeding Expectation”, corresponding to Levels 5 to 8, in the assessments.

This applies to both boys and girls in public schools.

For inclusivity, the government has also expanded affirmative action provisions.

Learners with special needs and disabilities will qualify regardless of their achievement level.

Refugee learners in the three aforementioned camps will also be eligible, provided they meet specific academic criteria.

According to the ministry, refugee boys must have scored Levels 5 to 8, while refugee girls who scored Level 4 (Approaching Expectation) or above can apply.

Only candidates who studied in public junior schools or in 42 camp-based refugee junior schools, as well as refugee learners attending nearby public junior schools within Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab, will be considered.

Beyond academic performance, the programme targets learners from poor and vulnerable families.

The ministry outlined several categories of applicants who qualify, including orphans, children from urban informal settlements, learners whose parents or guardians have disabilities, and those from families affected by HIV/AIDS or other chronic illnesses.

Others include children affected by extreme poverty, those who have suffered neglect or abuse, and learners living with disabilities.

MoE advised interested applicants to collect scholarship application forms from the nearest Sub-County Education office.

“Application forms for refugee learners can be collected from the office of the Camp Manager, UNHCR offices in Kakuma and Dadaab,” it directed.

Application forms can also be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Education; www.education.go.ke or that of The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF): www.jkf.co.ke.

Applications for both refugee and non-refugee learners can also be done online at https://scholarship.jkf.co.ke.

Completed forms must be submitted by December 23, 2025, at 5 pm.

For refugee learners, submissions may be made through the Sub-County Director of Education or the Camp Manager’s office.

After the application window closes, shortlisted candidates will be invited, along with their parents or guardians, for interviews conducted by Community Selection Advisory Committees (CSACs).

“Only candidates who meet the stipulated criteria will be considered for the scholarship,” the ministry emphasised.

The ministry added, “The scholarship will cater for school fees, transport to and from school, School Kit (shopping) and a pocket money for the beneficiaries for the three-year education period”.

The learners will also be getting mentorship and psychosocial support throughout the period.

The ministry urged the public to share the information widely so that as many eligible learners as possible can apply.

For any queries or complaints, applicants can reach out through its toll-free helpline or official email contacts.

“For any questions or grievances regarding the application process of the Elimu Scholarship Programme, please contact JKF Toll free line 0800724695 or 0723286993, 0723969793, 0735339135 or [email protected] or [email protected].”