Two Turkana boys who missed the start of the school term after their families failed to raise school fees will now proceed to senior secondary school following a full scholarship intervention by the KCB Foundation.
The boys, from Nayuu and Nakuluja villages in Turkana Central Sub-County, had secured admission to top-ranked C1 schools — Butere Boys High School and Ambira Boys High School — but were unable to report on opening day due to financial constraints.
Their situation attracted the attention of the KCB Foundation, which awarded them full scholarships covering school fees and other basic requirements.
Speaking during the unveiling of the beneficiaries in Lodwar, KCB Branch Manager Humphrey Chemiat said the selection process considered household income levels, academic performance and family circumstances.
“In the spirit of ensuring the scholarship program is inclusive, the KCB Foundation reserved two slots for Turkana through the Lodwar branch,” Chemiat said. “The selection team consulted widely while strictly adhering to the set criteria, and the two boys met the qualifications.”
Chemiat noted that the foundation, the social investment arm of KCB Group PLC, remains committed to transforming lives and nurturing talent across the country, particularly in marginalized regions such as Turkana.
The two beneficiaries bring to 17 the total number of KCB Foundation Grade Ten scholars from the county in 2026. He added that this year’s intake intentionally included learners living with disabilities, teen mothers who had returned to school after pregnancy, and students from financially vulnerable households.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, Turkana County Executive Committee Member for Education, Sports and Social Protection Dr Audan Leah Lokaala commended the foundation for supporting bright learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“KCB Foundation has consistently supported learners from Turkana at different levels of education,” Dr Lokaala said. “As a county, we value partnerships that help unlock the potential of our young population.”
She further said Turkana was among fewer than 20 counties that had completed the necessary documentation to allow the disbursement of bursary and scholarship funds at the county level.
Dr Lokaala assured residents that the county government was working towards releasing bursary and scholarship funds to support learners who are yet to return to school or transition to senior secondary education due to financial challenges.
At the national level, the KCB Foundation last week unveiled 1,000 scholarship beneficiaries countrywide, committing up to Sh600 million towards school fees, stipends, uniforms, talent development and other essential needs.
