Two bright but needy students from Turkana County have secured the coveted Kenya commercial Bank (KCB) Foundation full scholarship to pursue their academic dreams.
The duo from Nayuu and Nakuluja villages in Turkana Central Sub-County, will now proceed with schooling after the Foundation stepped in to award them full scholarships, after it emerged that their families could not raise funds for the required fees and other necessities.
The two boys had initially secured Grade 10 admission to Butere boys high School and Ambira boys high school respectively, but were unable to report on time.
Lodwar KCB Branch Manager Humphrey Chemiat said the selection process was guided by household income levels, academic performance and family circumstances.
“In the spirit of ensuring that the scholarship award is all inclusive, the KCB Foundation had reserved two slots for Turkana through the Lodwar KCB Branch. Our selection team consulted widely even with the county leadership, while strictly adhering to the selection criteria. The two boys met the minimum qualification and were dully awarded,” he explained.
Chemiat added that the Foundation, the social investment arm of KCB Group PLC, remains committed to transforming lives and nurturing talent across the country including in marginalized regions such as Turkana.
The two awardees bring the total number of KCB Foundation beneficiaries for local Grade 10 to 17 in the current year.
The manager clarified that the distribution of chances intentionally included teen mothers, who had initially dropped out of school and rejoined to continue with studies after pregnancy, learners living with disabilities and those from families experiencing financial vulnerabilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor during the event, Turkana County Executive Committee Member for Education, Sports and Social Protection, Dr. Audan Leah Lokaala lauded the foundation for supporting bright learners from financially vulnerable backgrounds.
“Apart from the current beneficiaries, the KCB Foundation has sponsored learners from Turkana to various levels of education before. As a county, we appreciate partners who are committed to unlocking the potential of our young population,” Dr. Lokaala said.
The CECM further clarified that Turkana was among the less than 20 devolved units that had signed all the necessary documentations to allow the counties disburse the bursary and scholarship funds at the county level.
“I want to assure the residents that the county leadership is working towards ensuring bursary and scholarship funds are distributed to the deserving cases. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome from the efforts as we look ahead,” she said.
Additionally, Lokaala appealed to all organizations supporting education to emulate the KCB Foundation by partnering with the department of education.
“The county government is fully aware that some learners are yet to return to school, or even transition to senior secondary due to lack of funds. As the county works on unlocking the bursary and scholarship funds from the national government, other partners are welcome to provide assistance,” she said.
At the national level, KCB Foundation unveiled up to 1,000 scholarship awardees, pledging up to Sh600 million to cater for school fees, stipends, uniforms, talent development and other basic requirements for sponsored learners.
The unveiling platforms also served as forums for imparting life skills and encouraging beneficiaries to remain focused and disciplined as they transition to the next level of education.
Chief Officer for Vocational Training and Sports Robert Loyelei, his ECDE and Social Protection counterpart, Paul Lodunga and directors from the department attended the function.
Patrick Esekon Kono, a KCB staff in charge of mentoring the beneficiaries, was also present.
By Peter Gitonga
