KCB Group CEO Paul Russo and PS for Basic Education Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok with the past and present beneficiaries of the KCB Scholars Program during the official launch of the 2025 KCB Scholars University Program at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen.
In a robust boost to access to education, the KCB Foundation has set 300 new beneficiaries on its 2025 University Scholarship Programme—bringing hope and opportunity to hundreds of bright, worthy students across Kenya.
Upon investment of KShs. 100 million, the Foundation will sponsor the students fully to the end of their studies at Kenyan universities, technical schools, and vocational training centers.
The scholarship covers the student’s fees during the duration of the course as well as includes formalized mentorship in a bid to provide psychosocial and professional assistance.
The new intake comes in addition to 588 already on the programme and is the fourth since the university program started in 2021. The program is carefully inclusive with 50% of the places allocated to girls and 10% to pupils with disabilities.
It is also target-oriented with regard to vulnerable children, such as orphans, adolescent mothers, FGM victims, and students from marginalized areas.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Basic Education Principal Secretary Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok said that the government continues to encourage inclusive education through policies like the 100% Transition Policy, Competency-Based Curriculum, and the new university funding model that has already directed over KShs. 40 billion into financing first- and second-year students.
“Such public-private partnerships are central to bridging gaps and expanding access, especially in under-resourced locations,” Prof. Bitok said.
KCB Group CEO Paul Russo emphasized the bank’s long-standing belief in education as a driver of social and economic transformation.
“To date, we’ve supported 5,755 students—3,500 of whom are still in high school. These include 5,013 bright but vulnerable youth, 454 students living with disabilities, 104 teenage mothers, 134 FGM champions, and 47 talented athletes,” Russo revealed.
Our mission is simple: each child should have an equal opportunity for good education. If we invest in young people, we are actually investing in our country’s future—poverty, unemployment, and social injustice are tackled directly,” he stated.
In addition to the grants, the scholarship program also facilitates bi-annual mentorship meetings to guide the students in career hunting in their respective courses as well as how to fit into the workplace.
Since education is at the center of economic empowerment, KCB’s initiative continues to pave the way for Kenya’s next generation of game-changers.
