A total of 156 needy students from three counties have secured scholarships from Equity Bank under its Wings to Fly programme.
Of this figure, 78 are from Nakuru County, according to the bank’s general manager for the Rift Valley region, Mr Joram Ng’ang’a.
Mr Ng’ang’a, who spoke during the launch of the programme in Nakuru Town on Friday, said the county had the highest number of beneficiaries, out of the over 5,000 selected countrywide.
He added that 50 of the students from the county had scored C+ and above in the KCSE examination, with 13 attaining the coveted A and A- grades.
“We are happy to see that there is a 100 per cent transition rate in universities for the previous beneficiaries. This calls for those who are blessed with resources to partner with us so that more brilliant students can be helped,” said Mr Ng’ang’a.
He said over 12,000 students had benefited from the programme since its inception in 2009, with 362 being admitted to foreign universities.
Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, who attended the event, called on more well-wishers to partner with Equity Bank to sponsor more needy students. Mr Mbugua donated Sh200,000 to boost the programme.
“This programme has come to the rescue of many geniuses who could have gone to waste,” said the county boss.
In Meru County, 52 needy students who scored more than 350 marks in the KCPE examination have been awarded Wings to Fly scholarships.
Addressing some of the beneficiaries in Meru Town, Equity Bank’s Meru branch manager Mwiti Kanga said more than 200 students from the county had benefited since the inception of the programme.
At the same time, Equity Bank has offered scholarships to 26 students in Makueni County to join secondary school.
Addressing the beneficiaries and their parents in Wote Town yesterday, the bank’s Wote branch manager Pius Gitau said: “I know you are economically challenged. That’s why Equity Bank has offered to sponsor your children.”
He, however, raised concern that some parents and guardians tend to abdicate their roles whenever sponsors pledge assistance.
The bank has also sponsored 13 other students from other areas, bringing to 26 the total number of bright students from Makueni to be assisted.
Reported by Reitz Mureithi, David Muchui and Pius Maundu
