The Ministry of Education, through the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, has announced fully funded Elimu Scholarships for selected Grade 10 students who recently completed their Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) exams.
In a statement dated Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the Ministry stated that the scholarships will be awarded across all 47 counties to needy and vulnerable learners who took their assessments in public junior schools and camp-based refugee learners.
“The Ministry of Education, through The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF), is awarding Elimu Scholarships in all 47 counties to needy and vulnerable learners who will be joining senior school in 2026,” read part of the notice.
According to the Ministry, learners who recently completed their KJSEA exams should have achieved an academic level of “Meeting Expectation” to “Exceeding Expectation” (Achievement Levels 5–8) in the 2025 assessments. This applies to both boys and girls.
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For affirmative action, learners with special needs and disabilities will be considered regardless of achievement level.
The Ministry also announced that refugee learners residing in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab refugee camps, who are attending UNHCR-supported schools within the camps or nearby public junior schools, are eligible to apply.
For refugee learners, boys should have attained meeting to exceeding expectation (Achievement levels 5-8), while girls who reached “Approaching Expectation” (Level 4) and above will qualify.
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The government further stated that only candidates who sat the 2025 KJSEA assessments from public junior schools and camp-based refugee learners from 42 camp-based junior schools, as well as those attending public junior schools near the refugee camps in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab, are eligible.
Requirements for Application
Additionally, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being from poor and vulnerable backgrounds, such as:
(i)Orphans.
(ii) Learners from urban informal settlements.
(iii) Learners whose parents or guardians have disabilities affecting their ability to provide financially.
(iv) Learners from families affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses that render parents destitute.
(v) Learners from families affected by extreme poverty that prevent their education.
(vi) Learners who have suffered neglect or abuse with no support to continue their studies, and learners with special needs and disabilities.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are advised to collect scholarship application forms from the nearest Sub-County Education office.
Forms for refugee learners can be obtained from the Camp Manager’s office or the UNHCR offices in Kakuma and Dadaab.
The forms can also be downloaded from the Ministry of Education’s website at www.education.go.ke or from the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation’s website at www.jkf.co.ke.
Applications for both refugee and non-refugee learners can also be submitted online at https://scholarship.jkf.co.ke.
Completed application forms, along with supporting documents, should be submitted either online or to the nearest Sub-County Education Office by December 23, 2025, at 5:00 pm For refugee learners, submissions can be made to the office of the Sub-County Director of Education or the Camp Manager in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps.
Furthermore, the Ministry announced that shortlisted candidates, accompanied by their parents or guardians, will be invited for interviews conducted by the Community Selection Advisory Committees (CSACs).
Only candidates who meet the stated criteria will be considered for the scholarship. The scholarship will cover school fees, transportation to and from school, a school kit, and pocket money for the three-year education period.
Beneficiaries will also receive mentorship and psychosocial support throughout their studies. The government urges the public to share this scholarship information widely to reach as many potential beneficiaries as possible.
For any questions or concerns about the application process, the public is advised to contact JKF’s toll-free line at 0800724695 or 0723286993, 0723969793, 0735339135, or via email at [email protected] or [email protected], or [email protected].
One can access full details about the Elimu Scholarships here.
About the Programme
The Elimu Scholarship Programme is a significant Kenyan government initiative providing comprehensive four-year secondary school scholarships to academically bright but financially disadvantaged students.
The scholarship covers all expenses for four years, including school fees, transport, school kits, and a stipend (pocket money).
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The Ministry of Education implements the program with support from implementing partners, primarily the Equity Group Foundation (EGF) and the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF).
Emphasis is placed on candidates from vulnerable communities, specific economically disadvantaged sub-counties, and urban centers with informal settlements.
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