- Browns Plantations Kenya has invested KSh 8.3 million in TVET scholarships for 39 students from Kericho and Bomet counties.
- The company has expanded its programme to 119 beneficiaries since 2024 and has provided toolkits to graduates for direct entry into employment.
- Through the Browns and Finlays Community Trust, the firm has reinforced its commitment to education and community development, having invested millions in scholarships and infrastructure.
Browns Plantations Kenya has invested KSh 8.3 million in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships for 39 students from Kericho and Bomet counties in a move aimed at strengthening Kenya’s skilled workforce and tackling youth unemployment.
The scholarships, awarded through the Browns and Finlays Community Trust, target students pursuing market-driven technical courses in Automotive Engineering, Building and Construction, Electrical Installation and Plumbing Technology at Belgut Technical Training Institute and Konoin Technical Training Institute.
The latest intake brings the total number of beneficiaries under the programme to 119 students since its launch in 2024, with the company investing approximately KSh 25.7 million in TVET scholarships over the period.
In addition to the scholarships, six graduates from the inaugural 2024 cohort received trade-specific start-up toolkits worth up to KSh 50,000 each to enable them to transition directly into employment or self-employment.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Browns Plantations Kenya Chief Executive Officer and Browns and Finlays Community Trust Patron Dushanth Ratwatte said Kenya’s future competitiveness depends on producing a workforce equipped with practical, industry-relevant skills.
He said the programme goes beyond paying tuition by incorporating mentorship, industrial attachment and workplace exposure to ensure graduates are job-ready.
“The right skills, practical experience and professional tools are essential in helping young people build successful careers and businesses,” Ratwatte said.
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Ratwatte noted that scholarships alone cannot fully address the challenges facing young people entering the labour market. He said employers increasingly require graduates who possess practical experience, confidence and the ability to adapt to changing workplace demands.
Through the TVET Scholarship Programme, beneficiaries receive not only financial support but also career guidance and exposure to real working environments, helping bridge the gap between training institutions and industry.
The ceremony was presided over by Rift Valley National Polytechnic Principal Sammy Chemoiwa and attended by representatives from the national and county governments, TVET institutions, parents, guardians, community leaders and other stakeholders.
According to Browns Plantations Kenya, the scholarship initiative forms part of its broader commitment to supporting Kenya’s industrialisation agenda by investing in technical skills that respond to labour market needs.
The company believes that strengthening TVET education will contribute to economic transformation while creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
Beyond the TVET initiative, Browns Plantations Kenya has invested more than Sh 360 million in scholarships and over KSh 350 million in education infrastructure across Kericho and Bomet counties, reinforcing its long-term commitment to expanding access to education and supporting sustainable community development.
Through the Browns and Finlays Community Trust, the company also supports programmes in healthcare, water, infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods and disaster relief, benefiting thousands of residents in the two counties.
By Jeff Kirui
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