The Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP) is set to hold its 6th annual fundraising gala on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, beginning at 6 p.m. The event aims to raise funds to support the organisation’s mission of helping bright but underprivileged Kenyan students gain access to top colleges and universities in North America.
KenSAP, a non-profit initiative launched in 2004 by former Olympian and Kenyatta University professor Mike Boit and American journalist John Manners, has transformed the lives of hundreds of students. Backed since 2005 by Canadian philanthropist Charles Field-Marsham, the program has placed more than 320 students into prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT all on full scholarships.
Speaking to KenSAP Executive Director Alan Davidson said the annual gala plays a critical role in sustaining the program’s activities, typically accounting for about 20% of the organisation’s budget.
“From the fundraiser, we get at least 20% of the money for our budget,” Davidson explained.
The gala will feature speeches and testimonies from KenSAP alumni, many of whom return to contribute both financially and through mentorship.
“Some alumni normally attend the charity gala and give out generous contributions to the organisation,” Davidson added.
Interest in KenSAP has grown dramatically over the years. While the program received about 150 applications in its early years, it now draws over 1,500 annually. Despite this growing demand, only 15 to 20 students are selected each year through a highly competitive process.
Admitted students undergo a rigorous 20-week residential preparation program that includes SAT and TOEFL training, college admissions advising, and cultural orientation. This comprehensive support has been vital in helping students navigate the complex U.S. admissions process and succeed abroad.
KenSAP continues to focus on reaching students from low-income and marginalised communities across Kenya, reaffirming its commitment to educational equity and empowerment through international opportunity.
