This archive report was first published on 25 July 2021.
On July 25, 2021, Equity Group Chief Commercial Officer Polycarp Igathe officiated an event at Kenyatta High School in Mwatate, where 97 learners from economically weak backgrounds benefited from the bank's Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship Programs.
The partnership between Equity Bank and the Kenya government in the education sector has been hailed as an example of how well-coordinated Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) can be an agent of transformation for the poor in society.
Equity Bank's Wings to Fly is a joint initiative with MasterCard Foundation and Germany's KfW Development Bank, while the Elimu Scholarship Program is a collaborative effort with the government and World Bank.
Speaking at the event, Igathe emphasized the importance of close collaboration between the bank and the government in implementing the programs, saying, 'We remain committed to work closely with the government to uplift the lives of bright students and help them achieve their dreams.'
This year, 10,705 learners will join the Elimu and Wings to Fly scholarship programs, with over 100,000 applications received for consideration. In Taita-Taveta, there are 97 beneficiaries, with 50 girls and 47 boys.
Equity Bank has also increased the beneficiaries of Wings to Fly after the numbers dipped following the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The bank has spent over Sh470 million to cushion over 13,000 learners against the adverse effects of the pandemic.
Deputy Governor Majala Mlaghui urged the bank to extend the scholarships to other institutions like Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVETs) to support the needy learners.
Taveta MP Naomi Shaban noted that Equity's Wings to Fly has been felt in the remotest parts of the country, with transparency during the targeting phase making the program benefit the truly deserving.
