KenSAP to hold 6th annual gala to raise funds for underprivileged scholars

The Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP) is set to host its 6th annual fundraising gala on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, starting at 6 p.m.

The event aims to generate financial support for the organisation's operations, which help high-achieving but underprivileged Kenyan students gain access to top North American universities with full scholarships.

Speaking to The Star, KenSAP Executive Director Alan Davidson revealed that the gala typically raises around 20% of the organisation’s annual budget.

“From the fundraiser, we get at least 20% of the money for our budget,” Davidson said.

He added that alumni of the program will be in attendance, where they will share their personal journeys and contribute to the fundraising efforts.

“Some alumni normally attend the charity gala and give out generous contributions to the organisation,” he noted.

KenSAP was founded in 2004 by former Olympian and KU professor Mike Boit, alongside American journalist John Manners, as a grassroots initiative to help talented but economically disadvantaged students access international higher education.

Since 2005, the program has been supported by philanthropist Charles Field-Marsham, which has helped sustain and expand its activities.

The program has successfully placed more than 320 students into top colleges and universities across North America. Over time, its popularity has surged, with application numbers rising from 150 in its early years to over 1,500 annually.

“When the program was starting, we used to get 150 applications, but nowadays we get more than 1,500,” Davidson said.

Despite the overwhelming interest, the program remains highly selective, admitting only 15 to 20 students each year.

Those selected undergo a rigorous 20-week residential preparation program that includes SAT and TOEFL test preparation, college advising, and cultural orientation.

KenSAP continues to encourage applications from bright students in marginalised and low-income communities across Kenya.