By Abdi Hussein | Wajir Today | Saturday, 7 February 2026
Mandera County Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif on Saturday launched the Elimu Kwa Wote Bursary Fund for FY 2025/2026, pledging Ksh. 450 million to support students across the county and strengthen education outcomes.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Khalif emphasised education as a cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda.
“We are gathered here today to reaffirm our shared commitment to education as the most powerful tool for transforming lives and securing the future of Mandera County,” he said.
Over the past four financial years, the county government has disbursed Ksh. 1.702 billion in bursaries, benefiting more than 123,000 students in secondary schools, universities, and colleges.
“This deliberate investment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that no child is denied education due to financial constraints,” the governor said.
The latest academic results also highlight progress. Of 6,869 Grade 9 candidates, 6,743 successfully transitioned to Grade 10, representing a 98.2% transition rate, Khalif noted.
The governor pointed out that the bursary fund comes at a critical time, as prolonged drought continues to strain household incomes.
“By launching this bursary today, we are easing the heavy financial burden on parents, enabling them to keep their children in school without having to choose between education and survival,” he said.
To address teacher shortages, the county operationalised Mandera Teachers Training College, subsidising 50% of tuition fees for 1,120 teacher trainees.
In addition, 30 students have received scholarships to study priority courses in Türkiye, aligned with the county’s development needs.
The county distributed 150 metric tonnes of UNIMIX porridge to ECDE centres to cushion young learners from the effects of drought, improve nutrition, and ensure uninterrupted learning.
“This is not simply a welfare measure but a deliberate investment in strong education outcomes,” Khalif said.
The county and KCB Bank collectively covered examination fees and will provide start-up kits worth Ksh. 12 million to TVET graduates, empowering them to start businesses and contribute to local development.
Governor Khalif called on stakeholders to sustain collaboration for an inclusive and impactful education system.
“Through these efforts, we are laying the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future for the youth of Mandera County,” he said.
