President William Ruto has announced a raft of policy and funding interventions aimed at strengthening the inclusion, protection and socio-economic development of ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and marginalised communities across the country.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the commemoration of the United Nations International Day for Minorities, the President said the place of minority communities in Kenya would no longer be left to individual discretion but firmly anchored in law.
Ruto revealed that the Cabinet has approved the National Policy on Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous Peoples, and Marginalised Communities, which will be launched in the coming weeks. He said the policy will establish a clear legal and institutional framework to promote inclusion, protect minority rights and ensure equitable development.
As part of immediate interventions, the President announced the establishment of a KSh500 million National Minority Scholarship Programme to support children from indigent minority and marginalised communities to access secondary and tertiary education.
In addition, the Ministry of Education will set aside KSh200 million annually for an Education Infrastructure Fund to build, upgrade and equip schools and colleges in minority and marginalised areas.
The Head of State further announced that the government will cater for Social Health Authority contributions for 200,000 vulnerable individuals drawn from minority and marginalised communities to guarantee access to essential healthcare services.
President Ruto said the measures reflect the government’s commitment to equity, dignity and shared national prosperity.
