Sakaja launches Ksh.170M scholarship programme for 4,000 Nairobi students

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Thursday launched a Ksh170 million secondary school scholarship programme aimed at supporting learners from vulnerable households.

Speaking at Uhuru Park during the presentation of the Governor’s Scholarships to beneficiaries, Sakaja said the programme will benefit 4,000 students in its first phase.

The Governor said the county has set aside Ksh170 million for the initiative, which he described as part of efforts to ensure that financial constraints do not lock students out of education.

Sakaja noted that Nairobi County spent about Ksh3 billion on scholarships and bursaries between 2013 and 2022, compared to Ksh1.8 billion disbursed over the last two years under his administration.

He attributed the resumption of the programme to the resolution of a legal impasse that had previously affected county scholarship schemes, following consultations involving the Controller of Budget, the Ministry of Education and the Council of Governors.

“I want to thank the Controller of Budget for working with the Ministry of Education and the Council of Governors to resolve the impasse that existed last year and to anchor scholarships within the law,” he said.

Education, Sakaja said, remains central to social mobility, adding that the county is working with the national government to expand learning infrastructure through ward-based funding and joint projects.

According to the Governor, the national government is constructing 5,000 classrooms at a cost of Ksh1 billion, while the county government is building an additional 1,500 classrooms to reduce congestion in public schools.

He highlighted the scale of Nairobi’s education needs, noting that a population of about seven million people is served by only 230 public schools.

Sakaja also cited the county’s Dishi na County school feeding programme as a contributor to improved school attendance and enrolment, saying 68 million meals have been provided so far.

County Executive Committee Member for Talents, Skills Development and Care Brian Mulama said the scholarship programme will help ease the burden of school fees on parents and allow beneficiaries to remain in school.

“This programme will go a long way in supporting learners and easing the financial burden on parents, ensuring that talented children can remain in school and focus on their education,” Mulama said.

The initiative is part of Nairobi County’s broader education strategy targeting access, retention and improved learning conditions for public school learners.