KERICHO, KENYA – June 12, 2026 – Finlays Community Trust (FCT) has officially commissioned a modern KSh 10.49 million Multi-purpose Hall and Kitchen complex at Belgut Starehe Girls Centre, marking a major milestone in its ongoing mission to transform educational infrastructure in Kericho and Bomet counties.
The state-of-the-art facility fulfills a commitment made by the Trust less than a year ago during the August 2025 Belgut Marathon. To bring the project to fruition, the Trust contributed KSh 8 million, partnering with the Belgut Marathon kitty, which raised an additional KSh 2.49 million for the project.
The newly launched facility boasts a seating capacity of 720 people. While it will immediately resolve dining, assembly, and examination space constraints for the school’s 380+ students, the Trust intentionally designed the complex as a dual-purpose asset to serve as a resource hub for local development and social gatherings in Kapsuser Ward.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Bishop Alfred Rotich, Chairperson of Finlays Community Trust, emphasized the Trust’s commitment to holistic community development through education-led investments.
“The completion of this facility reflects our commitment to addressing critical infrastructure gaps that directly impact learning outcomes. Beyond serving the students of Belgut Starehe Girls Centre, this hall stands as a valuable community asset that will support educational and social development for years to come,” he said.
The Belgut Starehe project underscores the scale of the Trust’s broader socio-economic footprint across Kericho and Bomet counties. Funded jointly by Browns Plantations Kenya Limited (80%) and Finlays (20%), the Trust has successfully deployed 81 community development projects to date.
Most of these investments focus on educational infrastructure, including a fully equipped secondary school, 18 classrooms, 20 science laboratories, 14 libraries, five dormitories, and 10 institutional facilities such as dining halls, multipurpose halls, and learning resource centres. Collectively, these infrastructure projects support more than 17,000 learners every day and have reached communities in all 55 wards across both counties.
By improving access to quality learning facilities, these investments directly contribute to higher student retention, improved academic performance, enhanced health, and greater opportunities for young people to achieve their full potential.
In tandem with this physical infrastructure, the Trust continues to invest heavily in human capital through its targeted scholarship initiatives: Secondary School Scholarships, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Scholarships, and Undergraduate University Scholarships.
To date, over 1,100 bright local students have benefited from these scholarships, including 606 secondary school students, 80 TVET students, and 456 undergraduate university students, enabling them to access quality education and pursue their career aspirations.
These efforts are further complemented by investments in clean water access, healthcare, and basic community infrastructure, reinforcing the Trust’s holistic, education-led approach to sustainable development in the region. https://finlayscommunitytrust.co.ke/announcements/
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About Finlays Community Trust
Finlays Community Trust is an independent community development trust funded by Browns Plantations Kenya Limited (80%) and Finlays (20%). The Trust works to empower communities and promote sustainable development across Bomet and Kericho counties by investing in education, health, water, infrastructure, and community empowerment programmes. Through a collaborative, partnership-driven approach with local communities and stakeholders, the Trust aims to deliver maximum social, environmental, and economic impact, creating shared value and improving long-term livelihoods in the region.
Media Contact
Zackayo Owino
Communication Officer
zackayo.ochieng@brownsplantations.co.ke
0796 438 556