Kenya Power Foundation pledges Sh7 m to upgrade schools in four counties

• October 3, 2025
• C Badenhorst
• 13 Comments

When Logan Christi Hambrick, chairman of the Kenya Power Foundation and board member of Kenya Power, handed over a cheque at Nairobi School, the foundation announced a Sh7 million commitment to refurbish learning facilities in four counties. The money will flow to five public schools during the 2024‑25 financial year, aiming to turn crumbling classrooms into safe, modern spaces for thousands of students.

Background of the Kenya Power Foundation

Established in September 2024, the Kenya Power Foundation was created as the corporate social responsibility arm of the nation’s main electricity supplier. Its charter rests on three pillars: education and skills development, energy and environment, and community wellness. Since its launch, the foundation has signed several memorandums of understanding with local authorities, NGOs, and private donors, positioning itself as a catalyst for sustainable development across all 47 counties.

“We’re lighting lives, not just homes,” Hambrick said at the launch, underscoring a vision that stretches beyond metres of power lines into classrooms, clinics, and community centres. The foundation’s early pilots focused on renewable‑energy kits for schools in the Rift Valley, but education infrastructure quickly rose to the top of its agenda.

Details of the Sh7 million school upgrade programme

The new initiative earmarks Sh4.5 million for three flagship schools—one each in Baringo County, Turkana County and Machakos County. The remaining Sh2.5 million will be split between two schools in Nairobi County for structural renovations, roof repairs, and classroom refurbishments.

Key components of the upgrades include:

• Replacing dilapidated timber roofs with steel‑truss structures.
• Installing new lighting, ventilation, and solar‑powered fans.
• Refurbishing science labs with modern equipment.
• Creating accessible washrooms for girls and students with disabilities.

Hambrick emphasized that the funding is *earmarked* strictly for physical improvements, but the foundation also plans to roll out endowment funds and scholarship schemes for marginalised students later in the year.

County‑by‑county breakdown

Baringo County

The selected school in Baringo will receive KSh1.5 million to replace cracked walls and upgrade its library. Local education officer Jane K. Ochieng (not a primary entity for markup) told reporters the school’s enrollment has surged to 1,200 students, many of whom travel over 10 km each day.

Turkana County

Turkana’s recipient will see KSh1.5 million go toward a new classroom block that will house 350 pupils currently sharing a single room. The county’s commissioner, Samuel L. Keita, highlighted the region’s chronic under‑investment in infrastructure, making the upgrade a "critical lifeline" for education.

Machakos County

In Machakos, the foundation will fund KSh1.5 million for a roof overhaul and the installation of a solar‑powered water pump, addressing both learning conditions and hygiene concerns.

Nairobi County

Two Nairobi schools—Nairobi School and St. Mary’s Primary—will share KSh2.5 million. The funds will be allocated KSh1.4 million to Nairobi School for a new science wing, and KSh1.1 million to St. Mary’s for classroom expansion and a computer lab.

Reactions and stakeholder perspectives

During the cheque‑handing ceremony, Hambrick remarked, "We are pleased to continue this journey that began late last financial year. Today's handover will help complete a key refurbishment project, and we're equally excited about ongoing initiatives in Baringo, Turkana, and Machakos counties." He also invited NGOs, corporate partners, and philanthropists to join the cause.

Parents at Nairobi School expressed optimism. "My daughter finally has a proper lab to conduct experiments," said Mrs. Amina Yusuf. School teachers echoed the sentiment, noting that better facilities often translate into higher attendance and improved exam scores.

Critics, however, warned that infrastructure alone cannot solve deeper challenges such as teacher shortages and curriculum gaps. Education analyst Dr. Peter M. Njoroge suggested a "holistic approach" that pairs physical upgrades with professional development for teachers.

Broader implications for education and corporate CSR

The move aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030, which targets universal secondary education and quality learning environments. By investing directly in school infrastructure, the Kenya Power Foundation sets a precedent for other utility companies to embed social impact into their core strategies.

Moreover, the foundation’s emphasis on partnerships—through MoUs and sponsorships—reflects a shift from ad‑hoc charity to collaborative development. If the pilot succeeds, scaling to all 47 counties could inject an estimated KSh200 million annually into the education sector.

Future steps and expansion plans

Hambrick announced that the foundation is already scouting additional schools for the 2025‑26 cycle, with a target of reaching at least one school per county. The next phase will introduce merit‑based scholarships for students from low‑income households, funded by a newly created endowment pool expected to reach KSh500 million by 2028.

Stakeholders are also discussing a joint monitoring framework with the Ministry of Education to track outcomes such as student performance, attendance, and community satisfaction. The aim is to turn each renovation project into a data‑rich case study, informing future investments.

Key facts at a glance

• Amount pledged: KSh7 million for the 2024‑25 financial year.
• Beneficiary schools: Five public schools across Baringo, Turkana, Machakos, and Nairobi counties.
• Primary focus: Structural renovations, classroom upgrades, and accessibility improvements.
• Chairperson: Logan Christi Hambrick, also board member of Kenya Power.
• Future vision: Scale to all 47 counties and launch scholarship/endowment programmes.