The KCB Scholars Programme remains one of the most competitive and impactful secondary school scholarship opportunities in Kenya, targeting bright but financially vulnerable learners from all 47 counties. Every year, thousands of candidates submit applications, yet only a fraction progress through the shortlisting and interview stages. One of the major differentiators between successful and unsuccessful applicants is how well the application form is completed.
The 2026 KCB Scholars Programme application form is comprehensive and structured to assess academic merit, financial need, leadership potential, integrity, and personal resilience. It requires accurate information from the student, parent or guardian, school leadership, and an independent recommender. Because the form does not allow extra pages or attachments beyond what is requested, careful preparation and attention to detail are essential.
Understanding the Purpose of the Application Form
Before filling out the form, it is important for applicants to understand why the KCB Foundation collects each type of information. The form is not only used to confirm eligibility but also to compare applicants fairly across counties and backgrounds.
The application seeks to assess:
• Academic performance and pathway suitability
• Financial vulnerability and household circumstances
• Leadership, discipline, and extracurricular involvement
• Personal values, resilience, and long-term aspirations
• Credibility of information through school and community validation
Applicants who understand this purpose are better positioned to provide relevant, honest, and consistent information throughout the form.
General Preparation Tips Before Filling the Form
Early preparation significantly improves the quality of an application. Candidates are advised to begin preparing all required documents and information well before the interview date.
Applicants should:
• Read the entire application form from start to end before writing anything
• Confirm that the form is for the 2026 intake only
• Gather all required documents in advance
• Ensure handwriting is neat, legible, and consistent
• Use black or blue ink only
• Avoid overwriting or using correction fluid
Incomplete or poorly prepared forms are automatically disqualified regardless of academic performance.
Tips for the Passport Photograph Section
The passport photograph is a mandatory requirement and must meet the stated specifications.
Applicants should ensure:
• The photo shows head and shoulders clearly
• The background is plain and neutral
• The photo is recent, taken within the last three months
• The face is clearly visible without shadows
• No hats, caps, or heavy filters are used
A poor-quality photograph creates a negative first impression and may raise doubts during verification.
Tips for Applicant Personal Information Section
This section captures the applicant’s identity and basic background details.
Applicants should:
• Use names exactly as they appear on the birth certificate
• Ensure date of birth matches the attached birth certificate
• Indicate sex correctly and consistently
• Answer the citizenship question truthfully
• Clearly state place of residence
Any inconsistencies between written details and attached documents may result in disqualification during verification.
Tips for Special Support and Disability Disclosure
Applicants who require special support are encouraged to disclose this information honestly.
Best practices include:
• Providing a clear and brief explanation of the condition
• Attaching relevant medical documentation
• Avoiding exaggeration or understatement
Disclosure does not disadvantage an applicant and is used to ensure fairness and appropriate support during interviews.
Tips for Junior School and NEMIS Information
School information is critical for verification.
Applicants should:
• Confirm the correct NEMIS number with the school
• Use the official school name
• Provide accurate school contact details
• Indicate the correct county of the junior school
Incorrect school details may delay verification or invalidate the application.
Tips for Senior School Pathway Selection
Applicants are required to select and weight their preferred senior school pathways.
Applicants should:
• Understand what each pathway represents
• Base weighting on actual academic strengths and KJSEA performance
• Avoid guessing or copying others
• Ensure the selected pathway aligns with long-term goals
Unrealistic or poorly thought-out pathway weighting may weaken the application during assessment.
Tips for Sibling Information Section
This section helps assess household dependency and financial pressure.
Applicants should:
• List all siblings accurately
• Include correct ages and schools or occupations
• Clearly indicate who pays school fees
• Avoid omitting siblings
Providing incomplete sibling information may misrepresent family circumstances.
Tips for Extra-Curricular Activities Section
This section evaluates leadership, initiative, and personal development.
Applicants should:
• List only genuine activities participated in over the last two years
• Select activities where they had active involvement
• Attach certificates or proof where available
• Avoid exaggeration
Quality of involvement matters more than the number of activities listed.
Tips for Explaining Learning from Activities
Applicants are required to explain what they learned from two outstanding activities.
Effective responses should:
• Focus on personal growth, discipline, teamwork, or leadership
• Use real experiences
• Be specific rather than generic
• Stay within the provided space
This section helps assess maturity and self-reflection.
Tips for Parent or Guardian Information Section
The parent or guardian section is mandatory and must be filled accurately.
Parents or guardians should:
• Use their official names as per national ID
• Declare marital status honestly
• Attach income proof such as payslips or statements
• Clearly explain business or self-employment income
False income declarations are among the most common causes of disqualification.
Tips for Home Address and Housing Information
This section helps verify financial vulnerability.
Applicants should:
• Give a clear physical description of the home location
• Mention nearby landmarks accurately
• State whether the house is owned or rented
• Avoid vague descriptions
Home verification may be conducted, and inaccurate details may affect credibility.
Tips for Student Written Questions Section
This section carries significant weight and should be completed carefully by the student alone.
Tips for answering “Why do you want to join the KCB Scholars Programme?”
Applicants should:
• Focus on education goals and financial need
• Avoid repeating programme publicity language
• Be honest and personal
• Demonstrate commitment to education
Tips for answering personal challenges question
Applicants should:
• Describe real challenges faced
• Explain how they responded or overcame them
• Focus on resilience and learning
• Avoid blaming others
Tips for life lessons question
Applicants should:
• Identify a meaningful lesson
• Explain how it shaped behavior or decisions
• Stay within the word limit
Tips for future aspirations question
Applicants should:
• Describe realistic goals after college
• Show alignment with education and service
• Avoid vague statements
Tips for strengths section
Applicants should:
• List three genuine strengths
• Provide specific examples from the last two years
• Avoid generic traits without evidence
Tips for Headteacher Section
The headteacher or deputy’s section must be completed officially.
Applicants should:
• Inform the school early
• Ensure the form is signed and stamped
• Confirm accuracy of comments
• Avoid influencing or coaching responses
Unsigned or unstamped forms are invalid.
Tips for Recommender Section
The recommender must be an approved authority.
Applicants should:
• Choose someone who knows them well
• Provide enough time for completion
• Ensure contact details are accurate
Generic or incomplete recommendations weaken applications.
Tips for Declarations and Signatures
All declarations must be signed by the student and parent or guardian.
Applicants should:
• Confirm all sections are completed before signing
• Ensure dates are correctly filled
• Avoid signing incomplete forms
Unsigned declarations automatically disqualify the application.
Tips for Interview Attendance Preparation
Applicants must attend interviews with all original documents.
Applicants should:
• Organize documents neatly
• Arrive early at the assigned venue
• Be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Dress neatly and modestly
Missing documents at interview may lead to disqualification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants are advised to avoid:
• Leaving sections blank
• Providing false or exaggerated information
• Submitting photocopies without originals at interview
• Writing outside provided spaces
• Rushing through the form
Attention to detail is critical.
Final Review Checklist Before Submission
Before submission, applicants should confirm:
• All sections are filled
• All attachments are included
• Names and dates are consistent
• Signatures and stamps are present
• Handwriting is clear
A careful final review increases the chances of success.
Application Form
The 2026 KCB Scholars Programme application form is not merely a formality but a structured assessment tool designed to identify students who demonstrate academic promise, integrity, resilience, and genuine financial need. Applicants who approach the process with preparation, honesty, and attention to detail place themselves in a strong position during the competitive selection process.
Completing the form carefully, providing accurate supporting documents, and presenting a truthful personal story are essential steps toward progressing to the interview stage and beyond.
Download the application form here or visit any KCB Branch Countrywide.
