The Ministry of Education, through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, has announced fully funded scholarships for needy students who will be joining Senior Schools in 2026.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, December 2, the ministry said learners must have achieved academic performance ranging from ‘meeting expectations’ to ‘exceeding expectations,’ corresponding to achievement levels 5 to 8 in the 2025 KJSEA assessments.
The Ministry, however, noted that learners with special needs and disabilities will be considered regardless of achievement level.
“The Ministry of Education, through The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF), is awarding Elimu Scholarships in all the 47 counties to needy and vulnerable learners who will be joining senior school in the year 2026,” read the notice.
Refugee learners residing in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab refugee camps, who were learning in UNHCR-supported schools within the camps, or in nearby public junior schools, are also eligible to apply for the scholarships.
Read More
For refugee learners, boys must have achieved ‘meeting expectations’ to ‘exceeding expectations’ at Achievement Levels 5 to 8, while girls who scored ‘approaching expectations’ at Level 4 and above will also qualify.
In addition, applicants must come from poor or vulnerable backgrounds, including orphans, learners from urban informal settlements, those whose parents or guardians live with disabilities that affect their ability to meet school-related financial needs, and families affected by HIV/AIDS or other chronic illnesses that leave parents or guardians unable to adequately provide for their children.
Leaners who have suffered from neglect, abuse and have no support to continue with their education, and learners with special needs and disabilities are also eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are required 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.
Applicants can also download the forms from www. education.go.ke or www.jkf.co.ke.
Duly completed application forms, including supporting documents, should be submitted either online or to the nearest Sub-County Education Office, on or before December 23, 2025, at 5.00 pm.
For online applications, refugee and non-refugee learners can submit through the link: https://scholarship.jkf.co.ke.
“However, for refugee learners, the forms can be submitted to either the office of the Sub-County Director of Education, or Camp Manager in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps,” the Ministry stated.
Shortlisted candidates, accompanied by parents or guardians, will be invited for interviews, which will be conducted by the Community Selection Advisory Committees (CSACs).
The scholarship will cater for school fees, transport to and from school, 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.
This comes days after the Government of Mauritius announced fifteen scholarship opportunities for Kenyan students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
In a notice on Tuesday, November 25, the Ministry of Education said the scholarships are available for Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programmes.
According to the ministry, the full details of the scholarships, including eligibility criteria and application procedures, have been published on the ministry’s official website.
Applicants can obtain the information through the Ministry of Education, Kenya website, as well as the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology of Mauritius.
Interested candidates are required to review the guidelines carefully and submit their applications through the channels indicated on the two portals.
