Four hundred deserving learners from disadvantaged backgrounds have received a major education lifeline after the Safaricom M-Pesa Foundation extended its support to sponsor their secondary school education.
Beneficiaries expressed relief, noting that without the foundation’s intervention, financial hardships would have derailed their education dreams.
Speaking during the launch of the expansion of the Citizens of the Future Sponsorship Award Programme at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Safaricom PLC Director, Sustainable Business and Social Impacts, Karen Basiye, said the initiative aims to reach more bright but vulnerable learners across the country.
Under the expanded programme, 150 students will join the M-Pesa Foundation Academy, while the remaining beneficiaries will be placed in partner secondary schools nationwide. The scholarships target academically gifted children from poor and vulnerable backgrounds, including learners from children’s homes who have excelled despite immense challenges.
Basiye noted that Sh500 million has been allocated to support the current cohort of Grade 10 to Grade 12 learners. She added that this investment is part of a long-term commitment projected to grow to a cumulative Sh1 billion, ultimately transforming the lives of over 1,200 learners nationwide, with support continuing into tertiary education.
“The demand for scholarships remains overwhelming,” Basiye said, noting that over 8,000 applications were received following the release of application forms. “The need is clear. Parents are struggling, and we continue to ensure support reaches the most deserving learners,” she added.
One beneficiary, Jacob Mongesa Rube from Tiatu Constituency in Baringo County, said the scholarship restored hope after the death of his father, the family’s sole breadwinner, in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Without this scholarship, my hope of joining secondary school would have disappeared. I am happy I can now pursue my education and work towards a good career,” Jacob said.
In Machakos County, another beneficiary, Lucy Muli, described the scholarship as a life-changing opportunity, saying she was excited to begin her secondary education with renewed confidence. Her mother, casual worker Janet Ndunge, said her daughter’s selection was a huge relief. “If my child had missed this scholarship, her dreams would have been dimmed because I cannot afford secondary school fees,” she said.
The expanded M-Pesa Foundation Scholarships highlight the foundation’s ongoing commitment to enabling access to education for vulnerable learners and supporting academic excellence nationwide.
By Muoki Charles
