“We are making history with the donation of a Boeing 737 to Mangu High School, inspiring the next generation of aviators!” the airline said.
The aircraft was officially received by the school's chief principal, John Kuria, who mentioned that the initiative to acquire the aircraft began over three years ago.
Kuria expressed that the aircraft will enhance aviation studies at the school, providing students with training on both the Kenyan and global aviation sectors.
“We are happy to receive this aircraft from Kenya Airways. It’s a journey that started three years ago… and today I’m a happy man. It’s a gift also to me as far as my teaching career is concerned."
“This aircraft is going to promote aviation studies, and we are going to train these young people about the Kenyan and global market in aviation,” the Chief Principal said.
The handover ceremony was graced by Archbishop Rev. Philip Anyolo, Dr. Wilfred Kiboro (Chair of Nation Media Group), KQ Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer Hellen Mathuka, along with numerous students and alumni from Mang’u.
This event follows the transfer of the decommissioned Kenya Airways aircraft to Mang'u High School by former Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over a year ago.
Murkomen highlighted that the aircraft would significantly enhance the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
He further stated that the aircraft would provide practical learning experiences for students aspiring to pursue careers in aviation.
"The donation of this aircraft, Boeing B737-700, is an act of nobility and an affirmation of KQ’s support for the Competency-Based Curriculum (also known as CBC) which focuses on accentuating students’ interests in particular areas of study, harnessing their innate talents, and converting their passions into careers," he said.
"I wish to thank Kenya Airways for this commendable act of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that will inspire hope in the students of Mang’u High School, assist in the modelling of their skills and transform abstract theories into practicable concepts."
The CS observed that it is essential to promote similar Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives aimed at empowering students and equipping them with the strategic, technical, and technological skills necessary to gain a competitive advantage over their peers.