Kilifi County Rolls Out Full Scholarships for 3,500 National School Students
The Kilifi County Government has unveiled a major education boost, offering full scholarships to over 3,500 students admitted to national schools under its County Scholarship Programme.
Speaking at the launch of Bishop Thomas Kakala’s autobiography at Jesus Cares Centre (JCC) Church in Malindi, Deputy Governor Flora Chibule said the initiative goes beyond the county’s traditional role in Early Childhood Development and vocational training to address urgent educational needs.
Chibule emphasized that the programme fully caters for students’ fees, not partial bursaries. The first group of about 2,300 beneficiaries is currently in Form Three, while the rest are Grade Ten learners under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
“This is about securing every child’s right to education,” she said, noting that the initiative complements other funding sources such as the County Bursary Fund, NG-CDF, and NGAAF.
The event also celebrated Bishop Thomas Kakala, founder of Boresha Elimu Community-Based Organisation, which supports vulnerable children in accessing education. The county government donated KSh500,000 to the organisation.
Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs praised religious leaders for their role in community development and pledged continued collaboration, including a planned engagement with clergy in Kilifi.
Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi commended Bishop Kakala’s selfless service, highlighting his impact on needy families regardless of religious background.
In his remarks, Bishop Kakala shared his personal journey of growing up in poverty without access to formal education, saying it inspired him to help others achieve what he could not. He described his autobiography as a testimony of resilience and a call to support education initiatives for disadvantaged children.
The scholarship programme marks a significant step in expanding access to quality education in Kilifi County, particularly for students from vulnerable backgrounds.
