The government has set out a new legal and financial framework aimed at addressing long-standing exclusion of ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples, and marginalised communities.
President William Ruto announced the measures at State House, Nairobi, during Kenya’s observance of the United Nations International Day for Minorities.
In a statement posted on X, the President said Cabinet has approved a National Policy on Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous Peoples, and Marginalised Communities.
He described the policy as a step toward embedding inclusion within law and public institutions, rather than leaving it to administrative discretion.
Kenya’s Constitution recognises marginalised communities and obligates the state to take affirmative action, particularly in education, health, and development.
However, implementation has often been fragmented, with affected communities citing gaps in coordination and funding.
The new policy is intended to provide a structured framework to guide government action across ministries and agencies.
Alongside the policy, the President outlined immediate budgetary interventions targeting education and healthcare.
According to the statement, the government will establish a KSh500 million National Minority Scholarship Programme to support learners from indigent minority and marginalised backgrounds at secondary and tertiary levels.
Education infrastructure is also set to receive additional support.
The Ministry of Education will allocate KSh200 million annually to a dedicated fund for the construction, upgrading, and equipping of schools and colleges in marginalised regions.
The allocation is aimed at addressing disparities in access to learning facilities across the country.
Health coverage formed another pillar of the announcement.
The government will pay Social Health Authority contributions for 200,000 vulnerable individuals drawn from minority and marginalised communities, a move intended to expand access to essential healthcare services.
President Ruto said the initiatives reflect the government’s broader commitment to equity and shared national development.
He made the remarks during an event attended by more than 5,000 leaders and members of minority, indigenous, and marginalised communities.