Kenya Unveils ‘Educating Linda’ Programme to Support Vulnerable Schoolgirls

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has officially launched its Educating Linda programme in Kenya in partnership with Rachel Ruto, marking a significant milestone in efforts to promote girls’ education and social empowerment.

The launch event, held at Kenya State House, was chaired by Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, alongside the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Rasha Kelej and the First Lady, who also serves as Ambassador of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Kelej said the initiative aims to support vulnerable girls in accessing continuous education. Under the programme, 47 high-performing but underprivileged Kenyan schoolgirls will receive annual scholarships until they complete their studies.

“This will ensure they are not forced to abandon their education due to financial hardship. We truly believe that an educated girl transforms the entire community,” she said.

Mrs Ruto welcomed the initiative, emphasising the importance of dismantling barriers that hinder girls’ access to education. She noted that empowering girls is central to national and continental development.

“Every girl in Kenya, and across Africa, deserves the opportunity to pursue her dreams. I am confident these young girls will reach their full potential and inspire many others,” she said.

During the event, Merck Foundation leadership and the First Lady engaged directly with beneficiaries and their families, who shared testimonies on how the scholarships have positively impacted their lives.

The Educating Linda programme forms part of a broader pan-African initiative implemented in partnership with African First Ladies. It currently supports more than 1,250 schoolgirls across 21 countries, including Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

In addition to scholarships, the programme provides essential school supplies to help remove practical barriers to education.

Dr Kelej reiterated the Foundation’s vision, stating that educating girls today is key to empowering women tomorrow and driving long-term socio-economic development.

Beyond education, Merck Foundation has also made significant contributions to healthcare capacity building in Kenya, providing 328 scholarships to medical professionals in 44 critical and underserved specialities. These include diabetes care, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, endocrinology, fertility, psychiatry and neurology.

The visit also featured the Merck Foundation Alumni Summit 2026, where alumni were recognised for their contributions, alongside the acknowledgement of winners from the Foundation’s 2024 and 2025 awards.

In a further effort to address social and health challenges, Merck Foundation and the First Lady announced the launch of several children’s storybooks, including “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future”, “Sugar Free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure”.

The books, which tackle issues such as gender-based violence, child marriage and health awareness, will be distributed widely to schoolchildren across Kenya in both English and Swahili.

Additionally, Merck Foundation and its partners have opened submissions for their 2026 awards, aimed at encouraging creative advocacy on critical social and health issues across Africa.

The awards include:

• Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026, targeting journalists and media students addressing issues such as infertility stigma, girls’ education, women’s empowerment, child marriage, female genital mutilation and gender-based violence. Submission deadline: 30 September 2026.
• Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026, inviting African filmmakers and students to produce impactful films on similar themes. Submission deadline: 30 September 2026.
• Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026, encouraging designers to create pieces that raise awareness on social issues. Submission deadline: 30 September 2026.
• Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026, calling on musicians to use their platforms to address societal challenges. Submission deadline: 30 September 2026.

Further categories focused on health awareness include:

• Media Recognition Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension” (deadline: 30 October 2026)
• Film Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension” (deadline: 30 October 2026)
• Fashion Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension” (deadline: 30 October 2026)
• Song Awards 2026 “Diabetes & Hypertension” (deadline: 30 October 2026)

Entries for all categories are to be submitted via email to submit@merck-foundation.com, with further details available through the official Merck Foundation platforms.