Research firm Mwelekeo Insights has released its latest findings on the critical role education can play in breaking cycles of poverty, warning that scholarships alone may not be enough to transform the lives of vulnerable learners across Kenya.
The findings were shared through Mwelekeo TV, a platform run by Mwelekeo Insights to translate research into public dialogue and community action, with education stakeholders urged to adopt holistic models that support learners beyond the classroom.
To offer deeper insight, the research firm featured Josephine Flora, Founder and Executive Director of Brightpath Kenya, who explained why education must be supported with mentorship, life skills training, and psychosocial care to deliver long term impact.
“Education is one path, but there are other factors that should be factored in,” Flora said.
According to Mwelekeo Insights, thousands of young people continue to face barriers that go beyond tuition fees, including weak mentorship structures, trauma, unstable home environments, displacement, and limited access to counselling services.
Josephine Flora speaks to Mwelekeo TV. Photo: Mwelekeo TV Source: YouTube
The research firm notes that these challenges often affect confidence, concentration, and performance, with ripple effects such as high dropout rates, teenage pregnancies, and increased vulnerability to drug abuse and crime.
Flora, who has worked closely with students from both urban informal settlements and rural communities, stressed that support programmes must go beyond academic funding.
“We figured other than scholarship, why not have a whole package for our students,” she said.
She added that many learners struggle silently, making mentorship a key pillar for improving outcomes and ensuring students remain stable emotionally and socially as they pursue their education.
“A mentor is someone that walks with you. You see them, you feel them, they hear you, they understand you, and they don’t question you,” Flora explained.
The research firm further noted that education interventions should not only target top performing learners but also consider motivated students whose grades may have been affected by their environment.
Mwelekeo TV host Trueboy Nyakoko speaks to Education expert Josephine Flora on Mwelekeo TV. Photo: Mwelekeo TV Source: YouTube
“Most of the time we ignore the kids that didn’t get 400 and above, but what about that kid that got 290 something and that’s the best they could get?” Flora posed.
Mwelekeo Insights also highlighted parental engagement as a key gap, warning that some harmful practices and societal silence continue to expose young learners to preventable setbacks.
“This child didn’t sign up to be brought to this world. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that they go through school, finish school in the right state of mind,” Flora said.
The research firm called on government agencies, schools, and community based organisations to align policy with the real needs on the ground, arguing that evidence based programming remains one of the most effective ways to protect learners and empower Kenya’s youth.
The report concludes that education remains a powerful tool, but its true impact is realised when learners are supported academically, socially, and emotionally, creating a foundation for independence, confidence, and long term success.
