By Roy Hezron
The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) has awarded scholarships to 148 learners who sat for the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).
The scholarship, worth Sh22.2 million will benefit the learners who have been drawn from across the forty-seven counties in the country.
Speaking during the 2022 scholarship award ceremony, Ministry of Education (MoE) Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Sarah Ruto said that the scholarship will contribute to access to quality education and retention of learners in school as part of the universal education agenda.
“This scholarship will rekindle hope among the beneficiaries who would otherwise miss secondary education opportunities due to their disadvantaged backgrounds,” Dr. Ruto said.
CAS Ruto challenged the scholars to take advantage of the award to secure a future that they desire through education.
“Access to quality education will provide you with both academic and life skills to enable you to navigate the world of employment,” Dr. Ruto observed.
According to the foundation’s Managing Director, Mr. David Mwaniki, approximately 11,000 students have benefited from the scholarship program at a cost of over half a billion shillings so far.
“The foundation is currently supporting 490 students in various secondary schools in Kenya”, Mr. Mwaniki said.
The Chairperson of the JKF Board, Ms. Stella Samboja said that selection of the beneficiaries was done transparently to ensure that only those who qualified received the award.
The 2022 cohort comprises 104 boarders and 44 day-scholars. The scholarship will fund their education from form one until completion.
The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, whose core mandate is publishing, has been offering scholarships to needy but bright students since its inception in 1968.