Equity Group Joins Push to Improve Education in Kisii and Nyamira at the Gusii Education Convention

Equity Group has partnered with education sector stakeholders at the inaugural Gusii Education Stakeholders’ Convention as leaders seek to address challenges affecting learning outcomes in Kisii and Nyamira counties.

The two-day convention, held on September 10–11, 2026, at the Kisii University grounds, brought together government officials, university leaders, teachers, school boards, parents, students, education unions and private-sector partners.

The forum, convened by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, was held under the theme “Reimagining Education in the Gusii Region through Collaboration and Innovation for Sustainable Development.”

Speaking at the Gusii Education convention, Ambassador Mary Mugwanja, Associate Director, Public Sector & Institutional Banking at Equity Bank Kenya, said the bank views education as a driver of social and economic transformation.

She said Equity’s education initiatives are focused on expanding access to learning, nurturing talent, developing future leaders and creating opportunities for young people through partnerships with government, learning institutions and communities.

Equity Foundation Supports More Than 11,600 Scholars

Through the Education and Leadership Development pillar of the Equity Group Foundation, the group currently supports more than 11,663 active high school scholars.

The foundation recorded 121 new global university admissions in 2026, with the placements valued at $23.42 million (KSh3.02 billion).

The Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship programmes have supported 60,009 scholars, while the Equity Leaders Program has recorded more than 10,505 cumulative paid internships.

The number of Equity scholars accessing global universities has reached 1,236, while more than 35,300 scholars have transitioned to public universities across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Equity has also supported more than 4,039 young people in Kenya and the DRC through the Wings to Fly TVET Scholarship Programme. About 33% of beneficiaries are pursuing information technology, while 31% are enrolled in science and engineering programmes.

Other areas of study include agriculture, hospitality and business.

Gusii Education Forum Targets Learning Challenges

The Gusii Education Stakeholders’ convention used a newly launched baseline survey to identify infrastructure and learning gaps affecting education in the Gusii region.

Discussions focused on the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence in schools, teacher effectiveness, institutional accountability and parental participation in education.

Ogamba said the growing use of artificial intelligence means schools need to focus on how quickly they can adapt to technology rather than whether technology should be introduced into education.

The Ministry of Education also announced plans involving the Open University of Kenya to roll out virtual library services to rural primary and secondary schools in the region.

The initiative is expected to expand access to learning resources for schools facing limitations in physical library infrastructure.

Stakeholders Push for Greater School Accountability

The Gusii Education Stakeholders’ convention also placed emphasis on school leadership, quality assurance, management of government capitation funds and the use of education infrastructure.

Teachers were encouraged to move beyond syllabus coverage and focus on whether learners are acquiring literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional skills.

Parents were also identified as important partners in student development, with stakeholders calling for more structured participation in academic progress, student wellbeing and discipline.

The discussions extended to technical and vocational education, with participants calling for TVET programmes that are better aligned with labour-market requirements.