City Hall disburses Sh297.5m in ward bursaries

The Nairobi City County Government has disbursed Sh297.5 million in ward bursaries to support thousands of needy learners across the capital.

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The initiative reinforces Governor Sakaja Johnson's pledge to make education accessible to every child, regardless of background.

Members of the Nairobi City County Assembly (MCAs) today received bursary cheques at Charter Hall, City Hall, in a coordinated exercise aimed at ensuring the timely release of funds for the first school term of 2026.

The cheques were handed over by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Talents,Skills Development and Care, Brian Mulama, who underscored the programme’s critical role in keeping vulnerable children in school.

“This bursary programme is very important. It will help children continue their education and build a better future,” Mr Mulama said.

Each of the city’s wards received Sh3.5 million, forming part of the Sh595 million total bursary allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year.

In addition to the ward bursaries, the county has also set aside Sh262.9 million under the County Executive Scholarship Programme to cater for bright but financially disadvantaged students pursuing secondary and tertiary education.

The disbursement follows Governor Sakaja’s announcement during his Annual State of the County Address at the Nairobi City County Assembly, where he revealed that the administration had issued 43,978 bursary cheques to learners citywide.

He further disclosed that 2,640 beneficiaries across five wards have been transitioned to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), a move aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and speed in the release of funds.

Reaffirming education and child welfare as core pillars of his administration’s social agenda, the Governor emphasized that investing in learners is an investment in the city’s long-term prosperity.

“A city that educates its children secures its future; a city that neglects them mortgages it. When you pass a budget, see not just the numbers but the people," Sakaja said.

"These are real stories of hope restored, of parents breathing easier, and of children who can now dream beyond their circumstances. This is not charity; it is our duty to the people of Nairobi."

He noted that the bursary framework is intentionally structured to ensure no deserving learner is left behind due to financial hardship, while the gradual adoption of EFT signals Nairobi County’s transition toward modern, digital public finance management systems.

MCAs welcomed the timely release of funds, noting that the bursaries would directly reach families struggling with school fees amid rising economic pressures.

Hon. Peter Maina, MCA for Uthiru/Ruthimitu Ward, lauded the Governor’s leadership, stating that the support goes a long way in bridging the gap for bright and needy students from vulnerable backgrounds and giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.

The bursary and scholarship initiatives form a cornerstone of the Sakaja administration’s education strategy, which seeks to increase school retention, reduce dropout rates, and nurture academic excellence across Nairobi’s diverse communities.