President William Ruto has announced the immediate establishment of a Ksh500 million National Minority Scholarship Programme aimed at supporting children from marginalised and minority communities to access secondary and tertiary education.

Ruto made the announcement on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at State House, Nairobi, during the launch of the National Policy on Ethnic Minorities and Marginalised Communities (2025–2035). The event marked Kenya’s observance of the International Day for Minority Rights.

Speaking to leaders and representatives drawn from minority groups across the country, the President said the government would move swiftly to turn the new policy into action.

“Let this policy move from paper into lived reality,” Ruto said. “The immediate establishment of a Ksh500 million national minority scholarship programme will support children from indigenous minorities and marginalised communities to access education, ensuring that poverty is no longer a barrier to talent.”

Ruto said the programme would run in partnership with private sector players and development partners, adding that education remained the most effective tool for breaking cycles of exclusion and poverty.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusion, dignity and equality, noting that no Kenyan should feel left out of national development because of their background or community.

The State House event brought together about 5,000 delegates from minority and marginalised communities drawn from at least 38 counties. Many wore traditional attire to showcase Kenya’s cultural diversity.

Communities represented included the Ogiek, El Molo, Rendille, Nubians, Makonde, Shona, Dasenach and Sakuye, among others. Officials described the gathering as one of the largest state engagements with minority groups in recent decades.

The new policy seeks to address these gaps and aligns with Article 56 of the Constitution, which requires the state to put in place affirmative action programmes for marginalised groups.

Wendot condemns harmful practices

Earlier at the same event, Gender and Culture Cabinet Secretary Hannah Wendot urged communities to abandon harmful cultural practices, particularly female genital mutilation (FGM).

Addressing the gathering, Wendot said FGM violates the law and continues to harm girls and women. She warned against attempts to justify the practice in the name of culture.

“Some people think they are helping God by removing parts of the body,” she said. “We want to be clear today – FGM must end.”

Wendot said the new policy gives the government a stronger framework to protect vulnerable groups while ensuring cultural practices remain lawful and responsible.

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the day served as a reminder of the country’s duty to ensure no community remains excluded.

“This day gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity, equality and justice,” Koskei said. “Every community must enjoy equal access to opportunity, representation and dignity.”