The Kisumu County Assembly Education and Social Protection Bill, 2026, has reached the second reading stage, with members returning it to the committee stage to consider proposed amendments.
The Bill, listed as County Assembly Bill No. 2 of 2026, was presented to the House on Wednesday evening by the Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services Committee chairpetson Seth Okumu.
The East Seme MCA took members through the proposed amendments under the guidance of Deputy Speaker Nereah Okombo.
The move followed public participation forums held by the county assembly to gather views from residents and civil society organisations.
The committee includes vice-chairperson Vitalis K’Omudho, Bill Oliver, Kennedy Ouko, Samuel Onyango, James Omollo and Benson Adega.
Okumu said the Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Kisumu County Education Funds Act, 2016.
He said it would establish a structured fund to support access to education and social protection for vulnerable groups.
The proposed law would create a system for identifying, supporting and disbursing funds to needy and vulnerable students across the county.
Okumu said the Bill would advance the progressive realisation of the right to education under Articles 43(1)(f) and 53(1)(b) of the Kenyan Constitution.
He said it also expands the scope of the 2016 Act, which focused mainly on education, to include wider social protection measures for vulnerable residents.
The Bill passed its first reading in the Kisumu County Assembly in June 2026.
Public participation forums were held across wards and sub-counties between 25 and 30 June, allowing residents and civil society groups to submit memoranda and proposals.
Okumu said the proposed amendments would promote equity in the identification of needy students.
He said the Bill would help increase access to quality education and reduce educational inequality in the county.
It is also expected to improve enrolment, retention, completion and transition rates in educational institutions within and serving Kisumu.
Okumu said the Bill would help reduce poverty as a barrier to education, promote gender equity in access to and completion of education, and support the inclusion of people with disabilities in educational programmes.
It would also provide social protection for vulnerable households through targeted financial assistance and strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to education.
One of the proposed amendments would allow partners to participate in education programmes.
The earlier proposal had limited such partnerships to non-governmental organisations.
Okumu said the committee responsible for identifying needy students would also be required to conduct physical visits to targeted beneficiaries.
He said 2 percent of the county budget would be allocated to education through scholarships.
Under the previous Act, each ward received Sh2 million, but the allocation has now increased to Sh5.2 million per ward, he said.
Each ward is expected to award 10 scholarships, with a total of 800 students set to benefit across the county.
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