A total of 733 top KCSE performers have been selected to join the 2026 Equity Leaders Program (ELP), marking a major milestone for some of Kenya’s brightest students.

The nationwide flag-off took place on Friday across various Equity Bank branches, with the successful candidates now set to report to Nairobi for a two-week induction before being deployed for internship placements across the country.

Who Made the Cut?

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The 2026 cohort brings together some of the country’s highest achievers, including:

  • 337 Wings to Fly and Elimu scholars who scored A or A–

  • 106 top boys and girls from every sub-county with a straight A (Plain)

  • 290 national top scorers who attained 84 points

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Speaking during the Nairobi flag-off, Equity Bank Nairobi Regional Manager Mary Mungai described the moment as more than just a celebration of good grades.

“This is not just about academic excellence,” she said. “It’s about shaping future doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs and policymakers who will go on to transform their communities and the region.”

‘I Almost Missed High School’

For many of the beneficiaries, the journey has been anything but easy.

Umutesi Bineza, an Elimu scholar from Mbooni Girls High School, shared how close she came to missing out on secondary education altogether.

“I’m a refugee, and my journey has been very tough,” she said. “I scored 403 marks in primary school but had no hope of joining high school. The scholarship completely changed my life.”

She credited mentorship visits and continued support for keeping her motivated through school.

Some of the beneficiaries during the branch-level welcoming ceremony and send-off ahead of a two-week induction programme in Nairobi.

Another beneficiary, Aladwa Stephine, recalled learning about the scholarship while still at Mwangaza Primary School.

“I scored 399 marks but had no hope of joining high school,” he said. “Because of the scholarship, I completed with an A-minus. Now I’m part of the internship programme, and I’m very grateful.”

From Marsabit to Nairobi

From Marsabit County, Sumis Ibrahim, who studied at St Angela’s Nguviu Girls and scored an A-minus, described the scholarship as life-changing.

“Everything changed when the scholarship came in,” she said. “I will forever be grateful, and I hope to extend this kindness wherever I go.”

What’s Next for the Scholars?

After completing their Nairobi induction, the students will be placed in structured internships at Equity branches nationwide, where they’ll receive hands-on professional exposure, mentorship and leadership training.

The Equity Leaders Program has so far supported over 10,000 scholars across East and Central Africa, with alumni going on to join global universities, major corporations, startups, and public institutions.

Founded in 1998, the programme started as a small initiative to support top-performing students transitioning to university. Today, it stands as one of the region’s most influential youth leadership pipelines.

The 2026 cohort is expected to begin internship duties immediately after the induction — taking their first steps from classroom success to real-world leadership.