Kenyans may be eligible for more scholarships from Sudanese universities, following a deal between Lamu County and a Sudanese state to promote study exchange and tourism.
Lamu County and Sudan's Red Seat State signed a twinning five-year deal which will be automatically renewed upon expiry.
Lamu Governor Issa Timami signed the deal with the state’s secretary general Samia ali Ahmed Oshik in Nairobi, promising to foster deep relations in environment, culture, education, fisheries, health and tourism.
"It entails exchanging delegation and experiences and organising exhibitions, festivals, seminars and conferences," he said.
The twinning will see a close exchange of experience, including personnel who will share skills to improve administrative services.
“The parties shall work towards the specialization of their human resources using specific exchange programs for students and youth which they agree to design and provide such training in a joint effort,” read the MoU signed at the Sudan Embassy in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Timami said before war broke out in Sudan, he had secured full scholarships for some 100 students during his first term as Lamu governor and that with the new deal, more numbers could benefit.
“They had got full scholarships thanks to the Sudanese government. We are praying that peace will return to Sudan and with this new deal, more opportunities could come for our people to go and get specialized training and exchange experience,” he said.
Sudan has a history of giving scholarships and study opportunities to Kenyans. As late as 2023 when the country is still enduring the turmoil of war, its University of Africa notified Khartoum’s Kenyan embassy that it was offering 15 scholarships to Kenyans.
“The Ministry receives communication from the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Khartoum informing that the International University of Africa located in Khartoum, Sudan is offering fifteen scholarship opportunities to Kenyans,” the Ministry of Education had announced.
Timamy said the agreement would pave the way for Kenyans to invest in the Sudan’s Red Sea state.
“Port Sudan is huge but not fully exploited compared to Lamu port, meaning that this could provide an opportunity for Kenyans with experience in such matters to exploit it,” he said.
In fact, in 2018, the country enhanced the quarter of scholarship it dedicated to Kenya to 550 with 30 reserved for those interested in studying and researching the oil sector.
The scholarship programme started in 2012 with 200 slots raised to 400 in 2015 and 550 in 2018 for in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture and technology.
Kenya has also been pivotal in supporting the peace and stability of the troubled nation.
Nairobi mediated in the ceasefire deal that later led to the end of the civil war between Sudan and South Sudan and then the latter’s secession and independence in 2011.
