By Fredrick Odiero
The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Foundation has set aside Ksh700 million to support the 2023 education scholarships cohort through secondary and tertiary education.
In addition, it was announced that 220 students from Nyanza and Western regions will secure scholarships from the Foundation to join secondary schools across the country.
Speaking during the commissioning in Kisumu, KCB Group Human Resource Director, Japheth Achola said: “We intentionally seek out vulnerable and marginalized learners at risk of dropping out of school completely. This includes learners facing difficulties from orphan hood, disability or harmful cultural practices as well as gender or disability and areas with high poverty indexes.”
“Our commitment stems from our strong belief that it is every child’s right to access quality education which is a powerful tool of transformation in society. We have also incorporated a wholesome psycho-social support system to ensure the students receive mentorship and guidance, so they have relevant coping-skills applicable to this dynamic fast-paced world,” he said.
For this cohort, Achola said KCB Foundation received over 10,000 applications, making it the highest turnout since the programme’s inception in 2007.
He said the 2023 class will form the 16th cohort of the scholarship programme adding that it has so far sponsored over 4,558 students.
The Director said the revamped KCB Foundation education scholarship programme also includes a 3-month apprenticeship after announcement of KCSE results at KCB branches countrywide for all the beneficiaries commencing with the 2022 class.
He said the scholarship programme targets bright students from underprivileged backgrounds with 100 slots allocated to Persons with Disabilities and 500 slots to girls.
