Kenya: China Opens 15 Government Scholarships for Kenyan Students, Sets November 18 Deadline

What the report says

China has opened 15 government-funded scholarships for Kenyan students for the 2027/2028 academic year, according to a report distributed by AllAfrica from Capital FM. The programme covers undergraduate, master’s and PhD study at universities in China, and Kenya’s Ministry of Education said it had received the notice from the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi.

The ministry said applications must go through its office, which serves as the official dispatching agent in Kenya, and interested candidates have until November 18, 2026, at 5 pm to submit the required documents. The process is competitive and includes a preliminary selection stage in Kenya before candidates can be considered by the Chinese side. Applicants are also expected to first secure admission or pre-admission documents from a preferred Chinese university.

The notice sets academic and age requirements for each level of study. Undergraduate applicants need strong KCSE results, postgraduate applicants must meet degree and age thresholds, and doctoral candidates need a relevant master’s degree. Undergraduate candidates must also take the China Scholastic Competence Assessment in December 2026. Supporting materials listed by the ministry include study plans or research proposals, recommendation letters for higher-degree applicants, medical forms, proof of good conduct and certified academic records.

The Chinese Embassy warned applicants to use only the official scholarship channels and said fraudulent submissions could lead to permanent rejection. It also indicated that stronger Chinese-language ability would be an advantage. The announcement is relevant because it opens a limited pathway for Kenyan students to pursue studies in China, while highlighting the formal documentation and selection steps involved.