Lodwar, January 26, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Two bright but needy students from Nayuu and Nakuluja villages in Turkana Central Sub-County will now proceed to senior school after the KCB Foundation stepped in to award them full scholarships for the senior school level.
The two boys had secured grade ten admission to top-ranked C1 schools — Butere Boys High School and Ambira Boys High School — but were unable to report on opening day after their families failed to raise the required school fees and basic necessities, prompting them to seek support through the scholarship.
While unveiling the beneficiaries and flagging them off, 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,” Chemiat 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 brings the total number of KCB Foundation beneficiaries for grade ten to 17 in the current year 2026. Chemiat 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 Governor Lomorukai is working towards ensuring bursary and scholarship funds are distributed by the County Government. We remain hopeful of a positive outcome from the efforts as we look ahead,” she said.
Additionally, the CECM 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 is working on unlocking the bursary and scholarship funds from the national government, partners are welcome to provide assistance,” she said.
At the national level early last week, the KCB Foundation unveiled up to 1,000 scholarship awardees nationwide, 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 Officers for Vocational Training and Sports Robert Loyelei, ECDE and Social Protection Paul Lodunga and directors from the department attended the function. Patrick Esekon Kono, a staff of KCB in charge of mentoring the beneficiaries was also present.
