• 118 scholars from the Equity Leadership Program class of 2020 have received admission to 56 global universities including the Ivy League universities
• The global scholars will benefit from undergraduate scholarships from host institutions valued at over Ksh 1,448,425,862
• ELP aims to empower young academically gifted scholars by supporting their access to education in public universities in Kenya and around the globe, as well as equipping them with leadership skills.

Nairobi, 13^th July 2021… 118 scholars from the Equity Leadership Program comprising of Wings to Fly alumni beneficiaries as well as those who topped the 2019 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination in their respective sub counties; have received admission and full financial aid to 56 global universities. The fifty-six (56) institutions are situated across five continents in different countries including United States of America (USA), Canada, China, Singapore, Mauritius, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and India. This year’s admissions bring the total the number of scholars who have so far gained admission to global universities under the Equity Leaders Program to 754.

The global scholars will benefit from undergraduate scholarships from their host institutions valued at over USD 13,423,780 (Ksh 1,448,425,862) and are set to receive a token of between Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 200,000 from Equity Group to facilitate their preparation and travel to their host countries.

Of the 118, 20 scholars have been admitted to Ivy League Universities in the United States including Yale (4), Harvard (3), University of Pennsylvania (3), Princeton (1), Cornell (3), Dartmouth (2), Columbia (2) and Brown (2).

Commenting on the admissions, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi noted that there has been a significant growth in the number of ELP scholars admitted to various global universities on early admission. “Last year, 93 scholars had been admitted to global universities at a time like this, today, we are at 118 and counting with more scholars set to receive their admission letters within the next few weeks. In addition, 54 of these scholars have been admitted on full scholarships. We are grateful to the partnerships and collaborations we have with these global universities that offer our children an opportunity to study, have exposure to other top scholars from other countries and with different cultures thus creating global citizens.” said Dr. Mwangi.

ELP aims to empower young academically gifted scholars by supporting the students to apply for admission and full financial aid from universities around the world, as well as equipping them with leadership skills. This is done through a 6-9 months paid internship program, mentoring and coaching and for those looking to gain admission to global universities, admission into a College Counselling Program that runs for 3 months where they are guided on the admission process and how to manoeuvre through a new education system.

Other than mentorship and leadership development, ELP is keen on spurring personal and professional development, creativity and innovation and community engagement amongst the scholars thus moulding them into forward thinking young professionals with a heart for community give back.

“We are quite confident that these scholars will represent Kenya well and will continue putting us on the map as a country with great minds and capabilities with the ability to contribute to global agenda and purpose-led impact,” added Dr. Mwangi.

Locally, ELP scholars have come together in their universities to establish ELP Chapters, associations that allow them to regularly interact, brainstorm and find new ways of doing things within their line of careers and for the benefit of society.

Established in 1998, the program has so far benefitted 17,040 scholars and has produced professional thought leaders including Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director, Samuel Kirubi who was the first ELP scholar, Dr. Elizabeth Gitau–Maina, the outgoing CEO of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and the Medical Officer in charge Equity Afia Upperhill, Anthony Siloiy, Senior Software Engineer at Dell EMC, Vincent Mukiri, Managing Partner of Mukiri Global Advocates,  Brian Mwiti, Senior Associate at Ethos Private Equity, Dr. Allan Makenzie, Associate Director, Global Sustainability and Government Affairs at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Ltd among many other ELP scholars.

DISTRIBUTION BY REGION AND COUNTRY

	COUNTRY	COUNT	PERCENTAGE
Africa
1	Ghana	2	1.7%
2	Mauritius	30	25.4%
3	Rwanda	5	4.2%
4	South Africa	10	8.5%
Asia & Middle East
5	China	2	1.7%
6	India	1	0.9%
7	Singapore	2	1.7%
8	UAE	1	0.9%
Europe
9	Slovakia	1	0.9%
10	Switzerland	2	1.7%
North America
11	Canada	3	2.5%
12	USA	58	49%
South America
13	Costa Rica	1	0.9%
	Grand Total	118	100%

DISTRIBUTION BY INSTITUITION

No.	Name	High School	University	Country	Region
1	Anne Achieng Alwala	Bunyore Girls High School	Ashesi University	Ghana	Africa
2	Collins Ochieng Wanga	Nambale Boys High School	Ashesi University	Ghana	Africa
3	Rahab Nyokabi Njambi	Chogoria Girls	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
4	Cindy Sydney Bosibori	Kenya High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
5	Caleb Nyang'iti Magoma	Nairobi School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
6	Michael Karanu Kibuchi	Muranga High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
7	Dalvin Ochieng Onyango	Alliance Boys	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
8	Feni Awuor Atieno	Asumbi Girls High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
9	Jacob Omoo Emoit	Chavakali Boys Secondary School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
10	Kenneth Koome Thiagetia	Chuka Boys High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
11	Valarie Nalwende Wambui	Juja Preparatory & Senior School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
12	Caleb Nyangena Oira	Kapsabet Boys	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
13	Hlubi Olombo Ougo	Kapsabet Boys	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
14	Oliver Kipkirui Langat	Kapsabet Boys	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
15	Anne Wangui Chege	Kenya High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
16	Michelle Were Ambunya	Kenya High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
17	Rose Wendy Muthanje Kariuki	Kenya High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
18	Victoria Saidi	Kenya High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
19	Justus Wamswa Chemirmir	Lenana School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
20	Davies Kagiri Waiharo	Light Academy	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
21	Peace Resian	Loreto High School, Limuru	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
22	Charles Lopeyok	Nairobi School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
23	Felix Omondi Ongala	Nairobi School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
24	Ian Kinyanjui Ng'ethe	Nairobi School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
25	William Kihuga Kibira	Nairobi School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
26	George Nyoro Gakenia	Nguviu Boys High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
27	Faith Imbudede Assava	Sironga Girls Secondary	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
28	Evance Mboya Otieno	St. Joseph's Rapogi Boys Secondary	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
29	Stella Njambi Ndungi	St. Mary's Girls, Igoji	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
30	Antonio Kachilia Njemela	St. Patrick's Iten	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
31	Austin Otieno Omondi	Starehe Boys Centre & School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
32	Rosemary Wangui Nyambura	Starehe Girls Centre	African Leadership University (ALU)	Mauritius	Africa
33	Seth Barasa Wanyonyi	Alliance Boys	African Leadership University (ALU)	Rwanda	Africa
34	Mary Mwikali Kilonzi	Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls	African Leadership University (ALU)	Rwanda	Africa
35	Jeff Gichuki Njoroge	Kerugoya Boys	African Leadership University (ALU)	Rwanda	Africa
36	Denis Kamau Gakenia	Nyandarua High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Rwanda	Africa
37	Kelvin Kariithi Kariithi	Nyandarua High School	African Leadership University (ALU)	Rwanda	Africa
38	Emmanuel Otieno Ogweno	Maseno School	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
39	Antonina Chebet Maswan	Moi High School Kabarak	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
40	Davis Kipchirchir Korir	Alliance Boys	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
41	Melissa Wanjiru Muchiri	Alliance Girls	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
42	Benjamin Karanja Mukeku	Kapsabet Boys	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
43	George Kipkoech Rop	Kapsabet Boys	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
44	Travimadox Cobb Webb	Lenana School	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
45	Joseph Kimingi Karanja	Light Academy	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
46	Brenda Jebet	Maryhill Girls High School	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
47	Charity Amani Kabare	Moi High School Kabarak	University of Cape Town (UCT)	South Africa	Africa
48	Jane Waithira Wanjiru	Starehe Girls Centre	Central South University	China	Asia
49	Moses Kariuki Nyambura	Chania Boys High School	New York University - Shanghai	China	Asia
50	Edith Nafula Wawire	Alliance Girls	Institute of Chemical Technology	India	Asia
51	Ken Kiogora Runguma	Alliance Boys	Yale NUS College	Singapore	Asia
52	Barbara Chemurgor	Alliance Girls	Yale NUS College	Singapore	Asia
53	Sherry Amondi Were	Kenya High School	New York University - Abu Dhabi	UAE	Asia
54	Dennis Shikanda Wanjeri	Muranga High School	Comenius University	Slovakia	Europe
55	Mercy Nduta Njeri	Chogoria Girls	Franklin University	Switzerland	Europe
56	Grace Faith Oira	Kenya High School	Franklin University	Switzerland	Europe
57	Dennis Muuo Cosmas	Alliance Boys	University of Alberta	Canada	North America
58	John Nyak Kang	ACK St. Lukes Cheptiret	University of British Columbia	Canada	North America
59	Larita Jerono Kipkeu	Maryhill Girls High School	University of British Columbia	Canada	North America
60	Erick Otieno Otieno	Maranda High School	Arcadia University	USA	North America
61	Daniel Okumu Omondi	Agoro Sare High School	Brown University	USA	North America
62	Enock Nyakundi Kenani	Mbita High School	Brown University	USA	North America
63	Finley Ogechi Motari	Alliance Boys	Columbia University	USA	North America
64	Monicah Wangui Wambugu	Pioneer Girls	Columbia University	USA	North America
65	Maureen Njeri Kaminja	Kenya High School	Cornell University	USA	North America
66	Anthony Kinyanjui Kariuki	Kiaguthu Boys Secondary School	Cornell University	USA	North America
67	Peter Ng'ang'a Wainaina	Nakuru High School	Cornell University	USA	North America
68	Jonathan Kasindi Sumaili	Lenana School	Dartmouth College	USA	North America
69	Ivy Nasiaki Mayende	Moi High School Kabarak	Dartmouth College	USA	North America
70	Nickson Wasike Wasike	Alliance Boys	Drexel University	USA	North America
71	Caleb Kiprono	Friends School Kamusinga	Duke University	USA	North America
72	Beauttah Nyaguthii Wanja	Kenya High School	Emory University	USA	North America
73	Johnson Aboge David Odhiambo	Kapsabet Boys	Harvard University	USA	North America
74	Ezra Sikuta Kizito	Moi High School Kabarak	Harvard University	USA	North America
75	Peter Wanjiru Chege	Nairobi School	Harvard University	USA	North America
76	Madzao Rocha Ndegwa	Alliance Boys	Howard University	USA	North America
77	Victor Abayesu Sedecias	Chavakhali High School	Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)	USA	North America
78	Victor Mulinge	Chavakhali High School	Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)	USA	North America
79	Grace Achieng Ouko	Kenya High School	Lafayette College	USA	North America
80	Mukamani Onori Luchera	Moi High School Kabarak	Lafayette College	USA	North America
81	Cheryl Nasike Wanyama	Kenya High School	Marymount Manhattan College	USA	North America
82	Eddy Ogola Onyango	Alliance Boys	Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT)	USA	North America
83	Esther Faith Kinyanjui	Kenya High School	Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT)	USA	North America
84	Vivian Mbithe Syengo	Kipsigis Girls High School	Middlebury College	USA	North America
85	Joy Njeri Mwenjwa	Pioneer Girls	Minerva Schools at KGI	USA	North America
86	Okomba Matayo Mugoma	St. Joseph's Rapogi Boys Secondary	Minerva Schools at KGI	USA	North America
87	Diana Petra Micheni	Kenya High School	New York University (NYU)	USA	North America
88	Tom Muma Ratemo	Alliance Boys	Northwestern University	USA	North America
89	Edwin Pokisa Naiputari	Nanyuki High School	Northwestern University	USA	North America
90	Jeff Matu Mwathi	Strathmore School	Notre Dame University	USA	North America
91	Kennedy Muia Kainga	Alliance Boys	Pacific University, Oregon	USA	North America
92	Michelle Nasiwondo Wawire	St. Brigid's Kiminini	Penn State University	USA	North America
93	Meek Jebet Koros	Moi High School Kabarak	Pepperdine University	USA	North America
94	Bradley Kimutai Kosgei	Kapsabet Boys	Pomona College	USA	North America
95	Moses Njuguna	Alliance Boys	Princeton University	USA	North America
96	Lavender Akinyi Juma	Moi Girls School, Nairobi	Rice University	USA	North America
97	Gabriel Wairagu Wanjau	Alliance Boys	Stanford University	USA	North America
98	Michael James Ugwe	Alliance Boys	Swarthmore College	USA	North America
99	Emmy Wanditi Njue	Buru Buru Girls	Syracuse University	USA	North America
100	Rennie Kipchirchir	Alliance Boys	Tufts University	USA	North America
101	Winnie Waithira Robert	Naivasha Girls Secondary	University of Massachusetts  - Dartmouth	USA	North America
102	Mary Atieno Audi	Alliance Girls	University of Pennsylvania	USA	North America
103	Faustin Otieno Amboko	Nairobi School	University of Pennsylvania	USA	North America
104	Laura Chelangat Ruto	St. Brigid's Kiminini	University of Pennsylvania	USA	North America
105	Kirkstone Lucky Osamba	Alliance Boys	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
106	Naomi Nyakinyua Gathuo	Alliance Girls	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
107	Perpetual Faith Cherono Bii	Alliance Girls	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
108	Emmanuel Omondi Ochieng	Friends School Kamusinga	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
109	Joy Koki Wambua	Kenya High School	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
110	Melissa Wanjiru Kimari	Kenya High School	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
111	Stephen Kenyanya Nyabuto	Kisii High School	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
112	Melodius Keziah Moindi	Pangani Girls	University of Wisconsin - Madison	USA	North America
113	Aileen Chelangat Siele	Moi Forces Lanet	Williams College	USA	North America
114	Abdibaset Ahmed Bare	Alliance Boys	Yale University	USA	North America
115	Tony Munene Kinyua	Kapsabet Boys	Yale University	USA	North America
116	Natalie Muthoni Gitaari	Kenya High School	Yale University	USA	North America
117	Abubakar Abdi Ramadhan	Nakuru High School	Yale University	USA	North America
118	Diana Jepkogei Mutai	Moi Girls High School Eldoret	Earth University	Costa Rica	South America

 

	University	2020/2021 Admission
1	Brown University	2
2	Columbia University	2
3	Cornell University	3
4	Dartmouth College	2
5	Harvard University	3
6	Princeton University	1
7	University of Pennsylvania	3
8	Yale University	4
	Total	20

The Equity Leaders Program was founded in 1998 and has scaled up over time to benefit 17,040 scholars. The paid internship component of the Equity Leaders Program admits the top performing boy and girl in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E.) exams from each sub-county in Kenya where Equity Bank has a branch as well as Wings to Fly graduates who score a minimum grade of A-. The program aims at empowering young academically gifted scholars by supporting their access to education in public universities in Kenya and around the globe, as well as equipping them with leadership skills.

The leadership development model seeks to develop scholars in four program areas: personal and professional development; global exposure; creativity & innovation; and community engagement. Scholars in the paid internship program have an opportunity to join the College Counselling Program to receive coaching and mentorship on how to apply to and secure admissions in leading global institutions. For those who study locally, they join ELP University Chapters that provide them an opportunity to continue being in a network and further hone their leadership and personal development. They continue to serve as mentors to their younger 'siblings’ in the Wings to Fly program in secondary schools.

Equity Group Foundation (EGF), the corporate implementing foundation of Equity Group Holdings Plc, has as its mission to champion the transformation of lives and livelihoods for 100m people in Africa by 2024 through the design and implementation of innovative programs that leverage Equity Group’s infrastructure and partnerships to create shared value. Established in 2008 as the Group’s social engine, the Foundation delivers economic opportunities, capacity, tools, and technologies that enable individuals and businesses to increase productivity, resilience and share in socio-economic growth. EGF responds to the continuum of issues that challenge the socio-economic advancement of the people of Africa, especially low-income individuals, and families. EGF’s Creating Shared Value [CSV] strategy provides social development initiatives in Education and Leadership Development, Food and Agriculture, Health, Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Development, Energy and Environment and Social Protections for the most vulnerable citizens. EGF’s programs are underpinned by technology, innovation, and synergy as a central means to launch, nurture, and scale up Africa’s next generation of successful leaders and entrepreneurs delivered to all communities in which Equity has operations.

 

Website Link - https://equitygroupholdings.com/