Applications Open For 2026 Elimu Scholarship Programme
The Ministry of Education, via The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF), is now accepting applications for the Elimu Scholarships. This program targets needy and vulnerable learners across all 47 counties who will be joining senior school in 2026.
2026 Elimu Scholarship Programme -Academic Requirements
Applicants should have scored within the “Meeting Expectation” to “Exceeding Expectation” range (Achievement Levels 5–8) in the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). This criterion applies to both male and female learners. For affirmative action, students with special needs and disabilities will be considered regardless of their achievement level.
Opportunity for Refugee Learners
Eligibility extends to refugee learners residing in the Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab camps. To qualify, they must have been learning in UNHCR-supported schools within the camps or in nearby public junior schools.
For these refugee applicants:
- Boys must have scored within “Meeting Expectation” to “Exceeding Expectation” (Levels 5-8).
- Girls must have achieved “Approaching Expectation” (Level 4) or higher.
Eligible Candidate Pool
Only candidates who sat for the 2025 KJSEA from the following schools are eligible:
- All public junior schools.
- Camp-based refugee learners from 42 designated camp junior schools.
- Refugee learners who attended public junior schools located near the Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab refugee camps.
Eligibility Criteria for Elimu scholarships 2026
Applicants must come from demonstrably poor and vulnerable backgrounds. This includes, but is not limited to, learners who are:
- Orphans.
- From urban informal settlements.
- Whose parents or guardians are living with disabilities that impair their ability to meet educational costs.
- Whose families are affected by HIV/AIDS or other chronic illnesses with debilitating effects, leaving parents or guardians destitute and unable to support the family.
- Whose families are affected by extreme poverty, making them unable to fund their children’s education.
- Who have suffered from neglect or abuse and lack support to continue their education.
- Learners with special needs and disabilities.
APPLY FOR ELIMU SCHOLARSHIPS 2026 HERE