Paul Arithi 
(L-R) I&M Bank Regional CEO Kihara Maina ,Marketing Director/Head of Marketing & Communications at I&M Bank Kenya Mary Githinji, Scholarship beneficiaries and Margaret Munene Co-founder and Trustee Palmhouse foundation poses for a photo I&M Bank X I&M Foundation X Palmhouse Foundation Senior School Sendoff Partnership at Holy Family Basilica
- I&M Foundation Commits KES 30 Million in Scholarships for Students Joining Grade 10;
I&M Foundation Commits KES 30 Million in Scholarships for Students Joining Grade 10
The I&M Foundation has reaffirmed its partnership with the Palmhouse Foundation by announcing KES 30 million in scholarships to support 100 students transitioning to Senior Secondary School over the next three academic years.
This marks the largest single cohort of students supported by I&M Foundation since the partnership’s inception in 2020.
The scholarship is designed to cover tuition, uniforms, mentorship, and school visits for bright and needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds as they enter Grades 10 through 12.
Speaking at the 2026 Senior School Send-Off Event, Kihara Maina, I&M Regional CEO and Interim CEO I&M Bank Kenya, representing the I&M Foundation, reaffirmed the organisations long-standing commitment to education, noting that the Foundation has committed KES 30 million towards supporting students’ education over the 2026–2028 period.
“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 inception, the collaboration between I&M Foundation and Palmhouse Foundation has supported 305 beneficiaries, with 122 students currently enrolled in the programme.
The support extends beyond tuition, offering holistic interventions that include mentorship, career guidance, and financial assistance to ensure students transition smoothly into senior secondary school under the new curriculum.
On his part, Palmhouse Foundation Charman Mr. Eric Kimani said, “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 Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which structures secondary education into specialized three-year programs to prepare learners for tertiary education or the workforce.
With the introduction of specialised senior school pathways, covering STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts & Sports, the cost of education has risen significantly.
The partners noted that targeted support is now more critical than ever, particularly for vulnerable but high-potential students.
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.
