KEF’s Bridge Scholarship drives 99% of scholars to higher learning, far above 32% national average

The Kenya Education Fund, KEF, says its model of supporting students does not stop at high school admission. The organization reports that 99% of its scholars transition to universities, colleges and technical institutions, compared to the national transition rate of 32%.

The figures were released as KEF marked another year of its one-year Bridge Scholarship program, which pairs financial support with mentorship, life-skills training and career guidance.

*Beyond the school gate*  

“At KEF, we don’t just help students get to high school, we help them succeed beyond it,” the organization stated. “Through holistic support that includes mentorship, life-skills workshops, career guidance, and our one-year Bridge Scholarship program, 99% of our students transition to higher learning institutions. The national average is 32%.”

According to the Ministry of Education, only about 3 in 10 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates join universities, TVET colleges or other tertiary institutions annually. Many drop out due to fees, lack of information on courses, or absence of guidance during the critical year after KCSE.

KEF’s Bridge Scholarship targets high-performing but needy students in that gap year. Scholars receive tuition support for bridging courses, monthly stipends, and structured mentorship. Weekly life-skills workshops cover financial literacy, communication, mental health and goal setting. Career guidance sessions connect students with professionals and alumni to demystify courses and job markets.

*Nurturing well-rounded graduates*  

KEF officials say the 99% transition rate reflects a deliberate focus on developing the whole student, not just exam scores.

“This remarkable achievement reflects our commitment to nurturing well-rounded young people who are prepared to thrive in university, careers, and life,” the organization said.

Mentors, many of them former KEF scholars now in professional careers, meet students regularly to track progress and provide psychosocial support. The approach, KEF argues, builds confidence and resilience needed to navigate competitive tertiary environments.

Education experts note that transition rates have stagnated nationally despite increased capitation and HELB loans. Barriers such as limited career information, delayed admissions and family financial shocks often derail students even after KCSE success. Programs that combine funding with guidance have shown better outcomes in pilot studies by the African Population and Health Research Center.

*Scholars speak*  

For many KEF scholars, the Bridge year was the difference between dropping out and securing admission. 

A 2024 scholar from Kitui who joined Strathmore University’s Bachelor of Business Science said the mentorship helped her choose a course aligned with her strengths. “After KCSE I was confused. KEF taught me how to write applications, prepare for interviews, and manage money. Without the Bridge Scholarship I would not be in university today,” she said.

Another scholar now studying Electrical Engineering at Kenyatta University credited the life-skills workshops for helping him cope with stress during the admission process. “The workshops taught us that university is not just books. It’s discipline, time management, and knowing where to ask for help,” he said.

*Scaling the model*  

KEF partners with corporate sponsors, individual donors and county governments to fund the Bridge program. Each cohort undergoes rigorous selection based on KCSE performance, financial need and leadership potential. 

The organization has placed over 2,000 scholars in higher learning institutions since the program began. Alumni now work in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to education and agribusiness, with many returning as mentors.

KEF says it will expand career guidance to include emerging fields such as blue technology, renewable energy and digital skills, in line with Kenya’s economic priorities. The organization is also lobbying for counties to adopt similar post-secondary support models to improve transition rates.

*A call to invest in the ‘in-between’ year*  

Education stakeholders argue that Kenya must pay more attention to the year between high school and tertiary education. While policy focuses on access to Form One and university, the post-KCSE period remains a bottleneck.

KEF’s results suggest targeted intervention can close that gap. With the national average at 32% and KEF scholars at 99%, the disparity highlights what structured support can achieve.

As one mentor put it: “Grades open the door. Guidance and support get you through it.”

For KEF, the mission remains clear: get students to high school, then equip them to succeed long after.