Airtel Kenya, through the Airtel Africa Foundation, has renewed its scholarship partnership with Mukuru Promotion Centre, extending access to secondary education for vulnerable learners from Mukuru informal settlement.

Under the renewed agreement, 22 students from St. Michael’s Secondary School will receive full tuition sponsorship between 2026 and 2028, enabling them to complete their secondary education. Since the programme’s inception in 2017, Airtel Kenya has supported over 190 students, many of whom would otherwise have faced significant challenges accessing and completing their education. The sponsorship programme has helped reduce the risk of school dropouts among vulnerable learners while creating pathways to further education and future opportunities.

Speaking during the partnership renewal ceremony, Airtel Kenya Managing Director Ashish Malhotra underscored the transformative role of education in creating sustainable social and economic change.

“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and unlocking opportunity. Through this partnership, we are investing in the potential of young people and giving them the support they need to stay in school, pursue their ambitions, and build brighter futures. We are proud to continue working with Mukuru Promotion Centre to ensure that more learners can access quality education regardless of their circumstances,” said Airtel Kenya Managing Director Ashish Malhotra.

The renewal of the partnership comes at a time when many families continue to grapple with economic pressures that threaten children’s access to education. Beyond school sponsorship, Airtel Kenya staff have also been supporting girls at St. Michael’s Secondary School through menstrual health initiatives, including the provision of sanitary pads, helping ensure that learners can attend school with dignity and confidence.

In 2008, Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC) opened St. Michael’s Secondary School to provide quality secondary education to children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Mukuru. St. Michael’s Secondary School continues to play an important role in expanding access to education within one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, with an estimated population of 700,000 residents.

The scholarship programme forms part of the Airtel Africa Foundation’s broader commitment to advancing education and creating opportunities for underserved communities across Africa under its FEED sustainability strategy, which focuses on Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Digital Inclusion.