I&M Foundation Commits 30M to Support 100 Senior Secondary Students

The I&M Foundation has reaffirmed its partnership with the Palmhouse Foundation after announcing a KES 30 million scholarship programme that will support 100 students transitioning to senior secondary school over the next three academic years.

The initiative represents the largest single cohort of students supported by the I&M Foundation since the partnership began in 2020. The scholarships will cover tuition, school uniforms, mentorship, and school visits for bright but needy learners entering Grades 10 to 12.

Speaking during the 2026 Senior School Send-Off Event, I&M Regional CEO and Interim CEO of I&M Bank Kenya, Kihara Maina, said the Foundation has committed KES 30 million towards education support between 2026 and 2028, reaffirming its long-standing investment in education.

“At I&M Bank, we firmly believe that our growth is deeply intertwined with the progress of the communities we serve. That is why we have committed 2% of our profits to the I&M Foundation, with 30% of this investment dedicated to education, because education is the most powerful catalyst for long-term social and economic transformation. This partnership has, over the past six years, played a critical role in shaping the futures of young learners. Today’s milestone reflects our shared belief that no talented student should be held back by financial constraints, especially at a time when the education landscape is evolving.”

Since its inception, the collaboration between the I&M Foundation and the Palmhouse Foundation has supported 305 students, with 122 learners currently enrolled in the programme. Beyond tuition support, beneficiaries receive holistic assistance including mentorship, career guidance, and financial support to ease their transition into senior secondary school under the new curriculum.

Palmhouse Foundation Chairman Eric Kimani noted that the partnership has evolved alongside Kenya’s education system, adapting from the former 8-4-4 system to the current Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

“This partnership has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from the 8-4-4 system to the current CBC model. As tuition and boarding costs have risen with the introduction of specialized senior school programs, the continued support from I&M Foundation ensures that our model of transition from junior to senior secondary remains seamless for the most vulnerable yet capable students in our society.”

The initiative aligns with Kenya’s CBC framework, which structures senior secondary education into specialised three-year pathways covering STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts & Sports, designed to prepare learners for tertiary education or the workforce. With the introduction of these specialised tracks, education costs have risen significantly, making targeted scholarship support increasingly critical for high-potential learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Education and skills development remain a core strategic pillar of the I&M Foundation, aligned with national education priorities and the Foundation’s broader social impact agenda.