Tears of Joy Turn to Triumph: Sanlam Awards Full Scholarship to Bright, Needy Student

A bright and determined student from Sogoo village, Narok, has had his dreams revived after receiving a full university scholarship from Sanlam.

Nathan Kipng’eno, 17, a former student of Cheborge High School, scored an impressive A- in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

However, his family faced financial struggles, making it uncertain whether he would proceed to university.

His story gained attention last month when a video of his father dancing and jumping in excitement over his son’s stellar performance went viral.

From left: Ednah Misoi; Dr. Nyamemba Patrick Tumbo, Sanlam Kenya’s Group Chief Executive Officer; Nathan Kipng’eno; Richard Kibet; and George Kuria, CEO of Sanlam General Insurance, during the announcement of Nathan Kipno’eno’s university scholarship at Sanlam Towers in Westlands, Nairobi.

The heartfelt celebration caught the attention of Sanlam Group, which was running the Pan-African #PROUDMoments social media campaign, celebrating everyday victories.

Deeply moved by the father’s raw emotions and sacrifices, Sanlam stepped in to ensure Nathan’s education journey continued uninterrupted.

The scholarship will cover his full tuition and other educational expenses at the university where he will be placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

For Nathan, the news was nothing short of life-changing.

“I am truly humbled and grateful to Sanlam for this opportunity,” he said. “Becoming a doctor has always been my dream, and this scholarship brings me closer to that goal. I hope to use my education to improve my life, give back to my community, and support my family.”

Sanlam Kenya’s Group CEO, Dr. Nyamemba Patrick Tumbo, emphasized the company’s commitment to transforming lives through education.

“Nathan’s journey is truly inspiring. He embodies the spirit of hard work, proving that circumstances do not define one’s destiny. At Sanlam, we believe in the power of education to change lives. By offering this scholarship, we are investing in the future of one of Kenya’s brightest young minds.”

The scholarship is part of Sanlam’s ongoing efforts to foster academic excellence and financial empowerment.

Through such initiatives, the company continues to support young, ambitious students, proving that talent and determination should never be limited by financial hardship.