M-Pesa Foundation, established ten years ago, recently turned 15, marking years of change, impact, and service to the community in critical areas such as health, education, economic empowerment, environmental conservation, disaster response, and humanitarian support.
Since its inception, the foundation has supported large-scale, long-term social initiatives that create lasting impacts on communities in Kenya.
The foundation has invested billions of shillings into these projects, positively impacting millions of underprivileged Kenyans both directly and indirectly.
Even as they continue driving change in their various areas of interest, two sectors stand out due to their immense contributions to society: education and health. These critical pillars have shaped the foundation, giving rise to remarkable stories and opportunities that once seemed unattainable.
Karen Basiye, the Director of Sustainable Business, Social Impact, and M-Pesa Foundation, deeply shares this sentiment, expressing her delight at the strides the charitable body has made.
In education, the trust led to the establishment of the M-Pesa Foundation Academy, a state-of-the-art, co-educational, residential high school in Thika, Kenya. Founded on February 22, 2016, the academy provides a holistic education emphasizing leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation, targeting talented yet economically disadvantaged students.
“If I were to highlight one sector where we have had a significant impact, it would have to be education. Education is an equalizer and benefits the whole community. It brings me immense joy to look back and see what we have done,” Karen expressed.
She shared an inspiring example of one of the foundation’s earliest beneficiaries. Through the M-Pesa Foundation, the young woman was able to complete high school, study at an Ivy League university in the U.S., and is now working at Goldman Sachs, a globally renowned firm. Karen also highlighted a full-circle moment, revealing that the young woman is now preparing to start a family.
But even as the academy continues to produce thought leaders and change-makers who positively impact their communities, one must acknowledge the rigorous selection process required to gain admission.
This demanding process is a testament to the foundation’s diligence in identifying and nurturing exceptional talent from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring these young minds are shaped into bright diamonds that shine on the global stage.
Sifting Process
The foundation receives thousands of applications every year—between 7,000 and 8,000 to be exact—and has established a well-thought-out system of checks and balances to identify children most in need. Beyond financial need, applicants must be between 14 and 16 years old, demonstrate strong critical thinking skills, maintain an excellent academic record, and exhibit leadership potential.
The process begins with obtaining application forms, which are available on the Academy’s website. Physical copies can be collected at the Academy in Thika, Safaricom retail shops nationwide, and Safaricom Headquarters in Westlands.
Once a candidate has completed the application, they can submit it via email, postal mail, or by physically dropping it off at any Safaricom retail shop. From there, the rigorous selection process begins.
Applications are evaluated based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership and entrepreneurship potential, responsible citizenship, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Shortlisted candidates go through a multi-stage evaluation, including telephone and in-person interviews. Notably, the M-Pesa Foundation team personally visits the homes of all shortlisted applicants, with Karen emphasizing that no child is selected without an assessment visit.
Out of the thousands of applications, 500 candidates make it to the final shortlist, and these are the ones whose homes the team visits for verification and needs assessment. The children with the greatest financial need are then selected to join the Academy, where they are nurtured into global thinkers.
As part of its ongoing commitment to education, the foundation announced plans during its 15th anniversary to launch the “Citizens of the Future” program. This initiative aims to extend support in Kenya’s education sector by offering scholarships and training. Additionally, 600 schools will benefit from modernization efforts, including the construction of ICT labs essential to the program’s success.
Through partnerships with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, the initiative will also equip teachers with digital skills to harness technology in education. Other partners, including the World Bank, NG-CDF, Hilton Foundation, and philanthropists, provide crucial funding and resources.
Transforming Healthcare
Beyond education, the Foundation continues to drive change and progress in healthcare. Karen shared some of the impactful stories the Foundation has been part of, one of which stood out—the story of a 90-year-old grandmother who, through the Trust, was able to recover from fistula.
“The Foundation restored her health after she had suffered from fistula for nearly 70 years. She told us how she had been shunned by her community but was finally accepted again after her recovery. This should never have happened for 60 or 70 years, but we are immensely proud of what the Foundation did for her,” Karen remarked.
Beyond individual success stories, the Foundation has made significant contributions to maternal healthcare—a critical issue in many health facilities. In Samburu, for instance, maternal healthcare was in dire need of reform.
“Before we intervened, women in Samburu rarely delivered in hospitals; childbirth was mainly through midwifery. We worked to change that by upgrading hospitals, ensuring women could access modern maternal healthcare,” Karen noted.
The impact extended to Lamu, where a failing maternity system was revitalized thanks to the Foundation. A speedboat introduced by the Trust now ensures that expectant mothers receive rapid transport to hospitals, allowing them to give birth in safe, well-equipped medical facilities.
Additionally, the Foundation has made significant strides in immunization, ensuring more children receive essential vaccines that protect them from life-threatening diseases. In areas like Samburu and Lamu, child immunization rates have reached an impressive 90%, demonstrating the lasting impact of these efforts.
Looking ahead, the Foundation aims to expand its healthcare initiatives by leveraging technology and collaborating with doctors from developed countries to bring more medical advancements to Kenya.
A Legacy of Impact
As the M-Pesa Foundation celebrates 15 years of transformative impact, its journey stands as a testament to the power of strategic philanthropy and sustainable development. From revolutionizing education through the M-Pesa Foundation Academy to enhancing healthcare access in marginalized regions, the Foundation has remained steadfast in its mission to uplift communities across Kenya.
With ambitious future plans, including the "Citizens of the Future" initiative and continued investments in maternal healthcare and immunization, the Foundation is only just beginning its next chapter. As Karen Basiye aptly puts it, the work is far from over—if anything, it marks the start of a greater legacy that will shape lives for generations to come.
Cecily Mbarire (L) cement the first blocks of the construction of a KES 45million
modern maternity wing at Kianjakoma Health Centre in Embu County, funded by the
MPESA Foundation.