Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Many parents know about the constituency (NG-CDF) bursary but miss the second door: the county government bursary. Kenya’s 47 counties run their own education support schemes, usually allocated ward by ward, and the money is separate from NG-CDF. A learner can often apply to both in the same year. This guide explains how county bursaries differ, how to find yours, and what to prepare.
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How county bursaries differ from NG-CDF
| NG-CDF bursary | County or ward bursary | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Constituency NG-CDF committee | County department of education, often through ward committees |
| Where to apply | NG-CDF constituency office or its downloads page | Ward administrator’s office, county offices, or a county portal |
| Timing | Set by each constituency | Set by each county, often in cohorts |
| Paid to | The school or college | The school or college |
A real example: Elimisha Makueni
Makueni County runs its bursary through an online portal called Elimisha Makueni (elimisha.makueni.go.ke). The portal explains that applications open in cohorts, and that an Apply button and a closing date appear when a cohort is open. Applicants are asked to have their documents ready as PDFs, including a fee statement, an ID or admission letter, and a school ID. The county also lists a Makueni Ward Bursary Program on its main website (makueni.go.ke). Other counties use paper forms collected from ward offices. The idea is the same: a county budget is shared out across wards, and a local committee decides who receives it.
How to find your county’s bursary
- Ask your ward administrator. Every ward has one, and they normally know when forms will be out and where to collect them.
- Check your county government’s website and official social media pages for “bursary”, “Elimu fund” or “education support”.
- Listen for announcements at chiefs’ barazas, in church and on local radio, where most counties advertise their windows.
- Ask the school bursar. Schools see county bursary cheques every term and often know the timetable.
Who usually qualifies
Each county sets its own criteria, but county bursaries are generally for needy learners who are residents of the county and the ward, enrolled in a secondary (senior) school, TVET, college or university. Some counties prioritise orphans, learners with disabilities and families facing hardship. Many counties ask applicants to show they have not received a full scholarship elsewhere, so declare any other support honestly.
Documents to prepare
- The learner’s birth certificate or school ID, and the parent’s national ID.
- The current fee structure or fee balance statement, stamped by the school.
- An admission or calling letter for learners joining a new school.
- A letter from the chief or assistant chief confirming residence.
- Death certificates or disability documents where they apply.
Our bursary documents checklist covers each one in detail.
Applying to both county and NG-CDF
Because the two funds are separate, applying to both is normal and allowed in most places. Be honest on each form about the other application: committees share lists, and a learner who hides support risks losing both awards. If you are successful in both, the school credits both amounts to the fee account. Read how to apply for an NG-CDF bursary for the constituency side.
Know of your county’s portal?
We list county schemes on our bursaries board only after checking the official county source. If your county runs an online bursary portal, email the official link to hello@cbcguide.co.ke and we will verify and add it.