MOMBASA – In a significant boost to education in Mombasa County, 20 needy students who excelled in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) have been awarded scholarships totaling Sh5 million by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB). This initiative is set to cover their entire secondary education, providing much-needed support for their academic pursuits.
According to Kenya News Agency, the scholarship program, established in 2005, is dedicated to assisting bright but vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged students. The program notably supports girls rescued from early marriages, teenage mothers, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) champions, sports-talented students, and boys from regions prone to cattle rustling. Since its inception, the program has shown substantial growth, increasing its beneficiaries from 54 between 2005 and 2011 to stabilizing at 200 scholarships annually.
The selection criteria for the scholarships include attendance at a public primary school, meeting the county’s cut-off points, and coming from a needy household. Special categories, such as teen moms, FGM champions, and gifted students, have tailored cut-off marks, with a referral from local authorities being a crucial part of the selection process. The comprehensive scholarship package covers tuition fees for four years, educational materials such as books and uniforms, and includes a mandatory mentorship program for personalized guidance and support.
Collins Obiero, KCB Kilindini Branch Manager, emphasized the bank’s commitment to impacting the lives of students in the education sector. “As a bank, we will assist the 20 students throughout their secondary studies,” Obiero stated during an event at the Royal Castle in Mombasa.
Marking the 17th anniversary of the scholarship program, KCB received over 12,000 applications this year, with selections based on KCPE results and the level of need. Beneficiary Tabitha Michelle Mboya, aspiring to become a medical doctor, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to join Moi Girls Secondary in Nairobi.
Parents of the beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation, acknowledging the critical role the scholarship will play in their children’s futures. “I am grateful for the opportunity that my daughter has been given by KCB as I had no means, but now all her secondary studies will be fully covered by KCB,” said Tom Mboya, a parent of one of the beneficiaries.
Susan Auko, KCB Kisauni Branch Manager, highlighted the importance of personal effort over school choice in achieving academic success. Additionally, Joseph Owino, an alumnus of the KCB foundation program, shared his gratitude for the support he received, which contributed to his impressive A- at Ribe High School.
Mombasa County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Jayzan Faruk, acknowledged KCB’s strategic partnership with the County Government in promoting education, recognizing the bank as a key partner in the educational development of the region.