Kericho: A Kericho-based multinational tea company has awarded scholarships worth Sh 22 million to 28 bright but needy students who are heading to university. Browns Plantations Kenya Limited, through the Browns and Finlays Community Trust, provided full tuition support for these students to pursue their undergraduate degrees at recognized Kenyan universities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the 2026 scholarship program selected 22 beneficiaries as the top-performing boy and girl from each of the 11 constituencies across Kericho and Bomet counties. The selection was based on academic performance and verified financial need. Additionally, six scholarships were granted to dependents of Browns Plantations Kenya and Finlays employees. The scholarship package not only covers comprehensive tuition fees for the duration of the undergraduate studies but also provides each student with a laptop to facilitate online learning, academic research, coursework, and access to digital resources.
During the scholarship presentation ceremony at a Kericho hotel, Darren Edwards, the Finance Director of Browns Plantations Kenya Limited, spoke on behalf of the CEO and emphasized that the scholarship program is a strategic investment in future leaders, innovators, and the workforce of the communities they serve. Edwards highlighted the transformative impact of higher education on individuals and their households, emphasizing that securing university admission should be the beginning of a student’s journey rather than the end of support.
Edwards further noted that success in today’s economy requires equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to compete globally. He pointed out that despite reforms in Kenya’s higher education financing framework, challenges such as digital exclusion still hinder brilliant students from vulnerable households. This prompted Browns Plantations Kenya, in partnership with Finlays, to commit Sh 22 million to cover tuition and provide personal laptops to scholars, removing both financial and technological barriers.
Dr. Florentius Koech, the Chief Guest and founder of Tophill Brain and Spine Hospital, encouraged students to make the most of the opportunity. Drawing from his own experiences, Dr. Koech stressed the importance of education as a transformative tool. He urged young people to develop strong mindsets and avoid relying on social media to solve everyday challenges, citing successful innovators like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
Among the beneficiaries is Rukia Hassan, who scored an ‘A’ grade in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and plans to study Medicine at the University of Nairobi. She expressed gratitude to the company for the support and promised to work hard.
In addition to the university scholarships, the Trust awarded Sh 8.3 million in vocational scholarships in July to 39 trainees for Technical and Vocational Training Education at Belgut and Konoin Technical Training Institutes. The company also provided trade-specific start-up toolkits to graduates from its 2024 cohort to aid their transition into self-employment.
Browns Plantations Kenya Limited has invested over Sh 350 million in 81 education infrastructure projects, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, dormitories, and dining halls, as part of its broader community investment program. The company, co-owned by the local community through the Kipsigis Highlands Multipurpose Co-operative Society, is a leading producer and exporter of tea and timber, managing extensive operations in Kericho and Bomet counties.
