Thirty students from Bomet and Kericho counties have been awarded scholarships through the Finlays Community Trust’s Swire Masters and Undergraduate scholarship programs at Exotic House, Kericho County. The scholarships are part of the Trust’s commitment to empowering youth through education and fostering sustainable growth within local communities.
Twenty-eight students will receive undergraduate scholarships to study at various Kenyan public universities, while two students will receive full postgraduate scholarships to study at universities of their choice in the United Kingdom. The total cost of both scholarships amounts to Kshs 33.8 million. In addition to the scholarship, the undergraduate beneficiaries will also be provided with a laptop computer as part of the program.
The Swire Masters Scholarship, which is funded by Swire Group and administered by the Trust, was inspired by the need to provide beneficiaries with unique technical and soft skills, allowing them to compete in both the local and global labour markets. To achieve this, two students are admitted every year to universities of their choice in the UK. On the other hand, the undergraduate Scholarship, which is funded by the Trust, is given to 28 beneficiaries, 22 of whom are from the 11 constituencies, two from each constituency, in the two counties and six (6) of whom are dependents of Browns Plantations Kenya and Finlays Tea Extracts Kenya employees.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Bishop Alfred Rotich, Chairperson of the Trust, stated, “We believe that education is a catalyst that transforms potential into progress, empowers individuals to shape their futures, and drives communities toward a more equitable and prosperous future. By investing in education, we are not only transforming lives but also laying the groundwork for long-term progress in our communities. Since inception, our scholarship program has benefited 586 secondary school students, 40 TVET students, 428 undergraduate students and 25 graduate students in the two counties.”
In May 2024, the Trust awarded forty students with TVET scholarships to study at Belgut Technical Training Institute and Konoin Technical Training Institute, providing an opportunity for students within Bomet and Kericho counties to pursue various courses such as Automotive Engineering, Building & Construction, Electrical Installation and Plumbing Technology among others. With the launch of its inaugural TVET scholarship program, the Trust now provides scholarships for all education levels; from secondary school, TVET, undergraduate studies (within local universities), and postgraduate programs (in the United Kingdom).
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Julius Migos Ogamba said, “We commend the Finlays Community Trust for their continued commitment to fostering educational excellence in Bomet and Kericho counties. By supporting students across all levels of education, the Trust is contributing to the broader national goal of empowering our youth to drive Kenya’s sustainable development. We applaud the Trust for their dedication to this cause, which complements our ongoing efforts to ensure that every Kenyan student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
According to Statista, around 563,000 students were enrolled in universities in Kenya during the academic year 2022/23, up from approximately 562,100 in 2021/22. This growth is attributed to an increase in scholarship students. The scholarships provided by the Trust have contributed to the uptake of tertiary education in Kenya over the past year.
In addition to scholarships, the Trust has committed more than Ksh 310 million in over 76 educational infrastructure projects that cover every ward in Bomet and Kericho counties. These projects include the construction of classrooms, science laboratories, libraries, dormitories, administration and ablution blocks, and dining halls, creating conducive learning environments for students.
The Finlays Community Trust, which is co-funded by Browns Plantations Kenya and Finlays Tea Extracts Kenya, is an independent charity that aims to deliver maximum social, environmental and economic benefits by taking a collaborative approach to working with the local communities in Bomet and Kericho counties. The Trust has made significant efforts to empower local communities and has continued to make a positive impact on society through scholarships, student mentoring programs, educational infrastructure projects, water projects, and environmental conservation initiatives.
