Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Thursday, January 8 launched a KSh170 million secondary school scholarship programme, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no child is denied an education due to financial hardship.

Speaking while presiding over the presentation of the Governor’s Scholarships to beneficiaries at Uhuru Park, Sakaja said the initiative marks a major boost to education support for vulnerable learners across the county.

He announced that KSh170 million has been set aside under the programme, benefiting 4,000 bright learners in its first phase. The Governor described the initiative as a restoration of hope for thousands of families who have struggled to keep their children in school.

Governor Sakaja noted that between 2013 and 2022, Nairobi County allocated approximately KSh3 billion to scholarships and bursaries over a ten-year period. In contrast, he said his administration has injected KSh1.8 billion in just two years, signaling a renewed focus on education under the current regime.

“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.

Emphasising education as a powerful tool for social mobility, the Governor described it as “the greatest equalizer,” saying every child deserves a fair chance to succeed. He highlighted ongoing collaboration with the national government and the use of ward-based funds to expand learning infrastructure.

According to Sakaja, 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 ease congestion in public schools.

The Governor further pointed out the scale of Nairobi’s education challenge, noting that a population of about 7 million people is currently served by only 230 public schools.

“We have a lot to do, and that is why we must come together to bridge this gap,” he said.

Sakaja also cited the Dishi na County school feeding programme as a critical pillar of learner retention and performance. He said the county has so far provided 68 million meals, contributing to improved school attendance and increased enrolment.

“A hungry child cannot learn. By ensuring learners are fed, we are keeping them in school and giving them the energy to succeed,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brian Mulama, the CECM for Talents, Skills Development and Care, said the programme will benefit many learners and significantly ease the burden of school fees on parents.

“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 scholarship programme forms part of Nairobi County’s broader education strategy aimed at improving learning conditions and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has an opportunity to achieve their full potential.