The KCB Foundation has welcomed 50 talented student-athletes into its annual education scholarship program, awarding them full scholarships to pursue their secondary education in Kenya.
This initiative marks the launch of the Foundation’s student athletic program, aimed at nurturing future world-class athletes from underprivileged backgrounds.
The students, who are drawn from 12 counties across Kenya, will join various secondary schools this week, embarking on a four-year journey with their academic and athletic pursuits fully supported. This program aligns with the bank’s long-term commitment to promoting young talent and fostering sporting excellence in the country.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Eldoret, KCB KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director Kenya,
Mrs. Annastacia Kimtai, said:
“At KCB, we’re committed to opening doors of opportunity in our local communities. We have incorporated athletic scholarships to extend a brighter future to talented but underprivileged young people who have promising careers as world-class athletes in line with our efforts to develop sporting talent in this country”.
The 12 counties include Baringo, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kajiado, Kiambu, Kisii, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and West Pokot. KCB Foundation will work with Transcend Talent Academy to train and nurture the students’ athletic talent, as well as KIPRUN to provide their athletic kits.
The event was officiated by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports.
Hon. Ababu Namwamba said: “KCB’s efforts to enhance the country’s efforts in producing world athletic champions will go a long way in putting a dent to the high rates of youth unemployment among the Kenyan youth. Kenyans have already set the precedence as athletic global champions, and as such, the youth today are set for the future,” noted CS Namwamba.
“Our goal is to increase opportunities for gifted and talented youth who are disadvantaged, and
would otherwise have dropped out of school for lack of school fees.”
Added Mrs. Kimtai.
This year, the KCB Foundation set aside a Kshs. 800 million sponsorship to support a total of 1,000 students for the 2024 scholarship class. The students are bright, vulnerable individuals from across the 47 counties in Kenya who sat for their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2023. This includes teen mothers, FGM Champions, gifted and talented students, and Persons Living with Disabilities.
The KCB program targets bright students from underprivileged backgrounds, with 100 slots allocated to Persons with Disabilities and 500 slots to girls – including gifted and talented individuals, students rescued from FGM, early marriage, and teenage mothers.
Under the program, all the high school beneficiaries who sit the KCSE examination receive 100% school-fee support in the university and tertiary scholarships. The revamped KCB Foundation education scholarship program also includes a 3-month apprenticeship post-KCSE results at KCB branches countrywide for all the beneficiaries commencing with the 2022 class. Launched in 2007, the scholarship program has so far benefitted 4,675 students, with 2,715 currently in school.