- First Lady Rachel Ruto and Merck Foundation have launched the Educating Linda Programme to support disadvantaged Kenyan schoolgirls.
- The partnership is providing annual scholarships to 47 high-performing but financially disadvantaged girls until they complete their education.
- Merck Foundation says 328 Kenyan healthcare professionals have benefited from specialised medical training scholarships, nearly half of them women.
First Lady Rachel Ruto and Merck Foundation have launched a programme to support girls’ education in Kenya as their partnership continues to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce through specialised medical training.
The Educating Linda Programme was launched at State House, Nairobi, to support academically gifted but financially disadvantaged girls and help them remain in school until they complete their education.
The initiative comes alongside a major milestone in healthcare training, with 328 Kenyan healthcare professionals having benefited from Merck Foundation scholarships in critical and underserved medical specialties.
The achievements were highlighted during the Merck Foundation Kenya Alumni Summit 2026, which brought together the First Lady, Merck Foundation officials, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.
Under the Educating Linda Programme, 47 deserving, high-performing but financially disadvantaged Kenyan schoolgirls will receive annual scholarships until they complete their education.
The initiative seeks to prevent girls from abandoning their education because of financial difficulties while empowering them to realise their potential.
Speaking during the programme, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Rasha Kelej said educating girls is critical to empowering women and transforming communities.
First Lady Rachel Ruto welcomed the initiative, saying the partnership is helping Kenya address barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing their education.
The programme forms part of broader efforts by Merck Foundation and the Office of the First Lady to promote girls’ education and address social challenges affecting women and young people.
328 healthcare workers benefit from scholarships
The partnership has also supported 328 Kenyan healthcare professionals through scholarships in critical and underserved medical specialties.
Nearly half of the scholarships have been awarded to women healthcare providers, reflecting efforts to promote women’s participation in specialised medical training.
The areas covered include diabetes, preventive cardiovascular medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, fertility and embryology, sexual and reproductive medicine, gastroenterology, psychiatry, neurology, emergency medicine and dermatology, among others.
Kelej said the long-term partnership with Kenya is helping build local medical expertise and improve the quality of patient care.
She expressed optimism that the scholarship programme would continue expanding through collaboration with the Government, medical professional societies and other stakeholders.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale welcomed the programme, saying specialised training is critical to strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system and expanding access to quality medical services.
The scholarships are intended to equip Kenyan healthcare professionals with specialised knowledge and skills that can be applied within the country’s health facilities.
Nutrition training prioritised
Nutrition has also emerged as a major area of focus, with more than 90 scholarships dedicated to a one-year postgraduate diploma in nutrition.
The training is expected to develop healthcare professionals capable of promoting healthy lifestyles and improving nutrition outcomes across the country.
The initiative complements efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare by equipping professionals with skills to address nutrition-related health challenges.
Merck Foundation has provided thousands of scholarships to healthcare professionals from more than 50 countries as part of its broader programme to strengthen healthcare capacity.
Beyond medical training and scholarships for girls, the partnership is using educational materials to raise awareness about important health and social issues.
Several children’s storybooks are being introduced in English and Kiswahili to address issues including girls’ education, infertility stigma, gender-based violence, child marriage and healthy lifestyles.
Thousands of copies are expected to be distributed to schoolchildren across Kenya, with animated versions also being used to expand their reach.
Merck Foundation has also announced its 2026 awards targeting journalists, filmmakers, musicians, fashion designers and students.
The awards encourage creative work that raises awareness about health, education and social issues affecting communities across Africa.
The partnership between Merck Foundation, the Office of the First Lady and health stakeholders therefore combines investment in specialised healthcare training with interventions aimed at keeping vulnerable girls in school.
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Through the 47 schoolgirl scholarships and specialised training already provided to hundreds of Kenyan healthcare professionals, the initiatives seek to strengthen both education opportunities and healthcare capacity in the country.
By Joseph Mambili
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