Paul Arithi 
Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman, and Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi addresses Wings to Fly and Elimu beneficiaries during the 16th Annual Education and Leadership Congress held at Alliance Girls High School. Equity Group Foundation (EGF) is hosting the Annual Education and Leadership Congress for 4,949 Wings to Fly and Elimu scholars (currently in Form 3 and 4) across the country, during the August school holidays, including 2,953 refugee scholars from Dadaab and Kakuma. The experience is designed to transform how scholars approach daily decisions, equipping them to generate meaningful change in their academic journeys, personal growth, and community impact. To date, 60,009 scholars, (22,009 Wings to Fly Scholarships and 38,000 Elimu) have benefited from these programs, receiving full scholarships and mentorship support throughout their secondary education journey.
4,949 Wings To Fly and Elimu Scholars Equipped With Leadership,Life Skills & Career Readiness
Held under the theme, “Lead, Solve, Sustain: Turning Challenges into Solutions,” the 2026 Education and Leadership Development Congress was designed to inspire scholars to embrace creativity,think critically and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
The program equipped scholars with knowledge, tools and strategies to become ethical leaders and agents of positive change.
Through plenary sessions,the Congress explored value systems and ethical leadership, with a focus on promoting responsible and ethical behaviour among scholars.
Participants also learned from the personal experiences and insights of successful leaders from government, academia, the nonprofit sector and industry.
During the Congress, scholars participated in mentorship, leadership development and life skills sessions designed to strengthen academic excellence, resilience, ethical leadership and community service.
They also engaged with representatives from the Ministry of Education,the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS),gender champions, industry leaders,professionals and alumni of the two scholarship programs, who shared practical guidance on education pathways and career preparation.
Key sessions focused on helping scholars confidently navigate the national education system while strengthening mental resilience, self-awareness and identity.
Scholars also explored how to thrive beyond displacement,embraced diversity and inclusion,and gained practical guidance on university readiness and campus life.
Powerful testimonies from accomplished alumni brought the lessons to life, challenging participants to pursue excellence and step forward as values-driven leaders in their communities.
Speaking to the scholars, Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman and Managing Director & CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc, said:
“At Equity Group Foundation (EGF),we are truly excited to have supported this cohort of more than 60,000 scholars.
Our goal is to give every scholar an equal opportunity to realise their potential, regardless of their circumstances.
For 17 years, it has been a journey of great fulfilment, walking alongside scholars and witnessing their growth and transformation.
As science and technology reshape the world, we are encouraging our scholars to embrace these opportunities, develop relevant skills and use technology not simply to consume, but to create solutions to the challenges facing their communities and the continent.
An opportunity can open a door, but it is the choices you make, the skills you develop and the problems you choose to solve that ultimately determine what you do with that opportunity.”
He added: “Our responsibility is not only to prepare scholars to succeed, but to inspire them to lead with integrity,solve problems with courage and creativity,and sustain the impact they create. We want every scholar to leave their school, community and country better than they found them.”
The 2026 Education and Leadership Congress comes barely a week after 121 Equity Leaders Program (ELP) scholars from Kenya,Uganda,Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) secured admissions to leading global universities, each with comprehensive financial scholarships valued at Kshs. 2,791,962,093 (USD 21,643,117) for the 4-year duration of their studies.
Amb. Sebastian Groth,Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya said, “Through the KfW partnership with Equity Group Foundation(EGF),thousands of young Kenyans have been empowered to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential.
We support this programme because we believe that investing in young people is one of the best investments a country can make in its human potential,strengthening individuals,communities and the nation’s future.This partnership is rooted in shared values.
Economically, we are helping to build a skilled and capable workforce;socially, we believe these opportunities contribute to greater inclusion and social stability.
Internationally, our partnership is built on trust,integrity and a shared commitment to democratic values.”
He added: “The success of this programme is truly remarkable.More than 60,000 scholars have benefited from comprehensive secondary school scholarships, with a 98% completion rate.
What makes this programme exceptional is that it goes beyond academic achievement, it helps shape responsible citizens, ethical leaders and a stronger future for Kenya.”
Mr. Jeremiah Kipaiyu, Kikuyu Sub-County Director of Education in Kiambu County, said; “Equity Group Foundation, together with other partners,has partnered with the Ministry of Education to provide scholarships that open doors of opportunity for learners.
We believe these programmes are a lifeline through which their dreams can take flight, giving them the support, confidence and opportunities they need to soar towards a brighter future.”
Beyond secondary education, Equity continues to support scholars through multiple post-secondary pathways.The Equity Leaders Program (ELP) has supported 10,505 university scholars across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition, 1,236 scholars have secured admission to leading global universities on fully funded scholarships, including Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The Foundation has also facilitated 4,039 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), enabling scholars to pursue practical skills aligned with labour market needs.
The program provides comprehensive support throughout the four years of secondary school, including tuition, boarding,learning materials,transport,mentorship,psychosocial support and leadership development.
The program is implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation,KfW (German Government), USAID and other strategic partners.
Building on the Wings to Fly model, it supports academically talented but vulnerable learners from all 47 counties, including youth from informal settlements and refugee communities, to transition from primary to secondary education.
To date, the program has supported more than 38,000 beneficiaries, including 6,000 refugee scholars, through comprehensive secondary school scholarships.
To date, a total of 60,009 scholars across Kenya have benefited from the Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship programs, receiving comprehensive scholarships and mentorship support throughout their secondary education journey.
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