Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced a new and unconventional approach to funding education in the county, pledging to redirect a portion of revenue from liquor sales to support extracurricular activities in schools.

The announcement was made during the flaging-off of 28 schools traveling to Meru County for the National Music Festival. Governor Nassir presented a Ksh2.5 million cheque to the institutions, a gesture he said was part of a wider commitment to nurturing student talents.

“When I was a student, going for these trips was a very special thing because there was a lot of excitement among the learners,” the Governor recalled, noting that some students were locked out because of financial constraints.

The move marks a shift from the traditional use of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund, which has historically been geared towards public awareness campaigns and the rehabilitation of alcoholics.

Governor Nassir’s new directive aims to directly link the revenue from the sector to the development of the creative economy and talent-nurturing in schools.

The pledge is part of a broader educational reform agenda in the county, which also includes providing stipends to secondary school students and improving Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).

He reiterated that all secondary school learners receive a Sh5,000 stipend, with plans to increase it progressively.

Nassir stated his ultimate goal is to make education in Mombasa “totally free.” He urged the students and teachers traveling to the music festival to conduct themselves with discipline and unity, adding that “nothing will hinder us from excelling.”

The governor’s initiative is expected to provide a steady and predictable source of funding for arts, sports, and other student activities.