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.
The learners should have attained academic achievement within “Meeting Expectation” to “Exceeding Expectation” (Achievement Levels 5–8) in the 2025 KJSEA Assessments.
This applies to both boys and girls. For affirmative action, learners with special needs and disabilities will be considered regardless of achievement level.
Refugee learners residing in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab refugee camps, and were learning in UNHCR supported schools within the camps, or in nearby public junior schools are also eligible to apply.
For the refugee learners, the boys should have attained meeting to exceeding expectation ( Achievement levels 5-8) girls who achieved “Approaching Expectation” (Level 4) and above will qualify.
Only candidates who did the 2025 KJSEA Assessments from public junior schools and camp-based refugee learners from 42 camp-based primary schools, as well as those refugee learners who attended public junior schools in close proximity to the refugee camps in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Daadab are eligible.
In addition, the applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria. They should be learners from poor and vulnerable backgrounds, including:
(i) Orphans;
(ii) Learners from urban informal settlements;
(iii) Learners whose parents/guardians are living with disabilities that have compromised their ability to meet the financial obligations of their children;
(iv) Learners whose families are affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses with debilitating effects that could render parents and guardians destitute and unable to fend for their families;
(v) Learners whose families are affected by extreme poverty, rendering them unable to educate their children;
(vi) Learners who have suffered from neglect/abuse and have no support to continue with their education; and
(vii) Learners with special needs and disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised 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.
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
Duly completed application forms, including supporting documents, should be submitted either online, OR to the nearest Sub-County Education Office, on or before 23rd December, 2025 at 5.00pm.
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.
Shortlisted candidates, accompanied by parents/guardians, will be invited for interviews which will be conducted by the Community Selection Advisory Committees (CSACs).
Please note that ONLY the candidates who meet the stipulated criteria will be considered for the scholarship.
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.
Members of the public are urged to share this information widely so as to reach as many potential beneficiaries as possible.
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 elimu@jkf.co.ke or elimu@education.go.ke
