Meet Our Founders
OUR FOUNDER
Bradley Broder
Bradley Broder’s journey began with a simple yet powerful vision: to unlock opportunities for Kenyan youth through access to quality education. Born and raised in the United States, Brad first traveled to Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by young people in underserved communities. Moved by their resilience and potential, he returned to Kenya with a purpose: to create a path for talented but financially disadvantaged students to access secondary education and beyond.
A Vision Turned Legacy
In 2006, Brad founded the Kenya Education Fund (KEF) to provide scholarships for students from Kenya's most marginalized communities. His work quickly grew, impacting over 4,500 students across the country.
KEF’s programs were designed not only to fund education but to empower students with mentorship, life skills, and the tools to break the cycle of poverty. Through workshops and career support, Brad ensured that KEF’s students were equipped for success long after they left school, with 98% transitioning successfully to university.
Building Bridges Across Borders
Brad’s efforts were supported by a network of compassionate donors and partners worldwide, each inspired by his unwavering commitment to transform lives through education. He believed that education was more than a pathway to personal achievement; it was a catalyst for societal change.
His dedication brought together supporters from different backgrounds who shared a common goal: to make education accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances or location.
A Lasting Impact
Brad’s legacy continues to inspire KEF’s mission today. Though he passed away in 2022, his spirit of service, compassion, and resilience remains at the heart of KEF.
Thanks to Brad’s vision, KEF has grown into an organization that not only funds education but fosters hope and opportunity for Kenya’s youth. Today, we honor Brad’s life and the thousands of students whose futures have been forever changed by his vision.
Join Us in Honoring Brad’s Legacy
As we continue to support bright, determined students across Kenya, Brad’s legacy serves as a reminder of what’s possible when we come together to make a difference. Join us in honoring Brad’s vision by helping us extend educational opportunities to the next generation of Kenyan leaders. Together, we can continue his work, creating brighter futures and lasting change in communities across Kenya.
Dominic Muasya
Dominic is a thought leader in possession of over 26 year consistent and progressive leadership experience. Over that period he has smoothly navigated two mergers and successfully managed diverse partnerships and interests. Dom, as commonly known to his friends, has efficiently and strategically grown staff and programs in a very cost effective manner ensuring that we are able to spread the $. Before KEF, he worked for the Ministry of Health as a Public Health Officer in Kajiado and Kiambu Counties, holding senior positions. Dom met the late Bradly Broder – who was a Peace Corp Volunteer while working in Loitokitok District Hospital over 20 years ago.
All these experiences have enhanced his strategic program planning and management, personnel development, leadership, conflict resolution and building meaningful partnerships, among others. He believes in empowering young people who will be responsible and dependable citizens of the future with a deep sense of community and giving back. Dominic studied in Kenya and Japan and holds a Masters’ Degree from the Great Lakes University of Kisumu.
The late Nelson Mandela once said that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world”. This has remained true to date. Dominic, the 2 nd born in a family of 5 boys, grew up poor in the in informal settlements in Nairobi. Part of these struggles and poverty are attributed to his parents not being educated. When he worked in Loitokitok as a Public Health Officer, he came face to face with a different kind of poverty. Communities who remained knowledge marginalized and as a result suffered a myriad of health challenges. People were poor because they did not go to school and they also did not go to school because they were poor. Dom believed breaking this cycle would change their lives for the better.
Kenya Education Fund was able to figure out what the gap was and has remained laser-focused on education since the beginning. Providing access to quality education and ensuring that scholars transition to tertiary and eventually the world of work. The cycle of poverty will not be broken if they don’t earn a meaningful income. Additionally, as they grow, our scholars need to be well rounded and understand the need to be a responsible & reliable citizen. Therefore, we introduced auxiliary programs, “secrete sauce”. These not only allow our scholars to take full advantage of the scholarship, but also see themselves as change makers of the future. KEF does not give charity. We invest in young people who have the potential to change their lives and those around them. This puts KEF at a unique pedestal.
Over 4,500, and growing, have gone through the KEF and are responsible members of the society supporting themselves their families and their communities. We have almost 100% completion rate and over 99% of our students transition to tertiary levels of education, the highest in the country. There is in place a very vibrant alumni association run independently by our alumni. They continue to share and engage through this association. And they are now giving back! This happens through mentorship, volunteerism and finances to KEF. 3 of our current students are fully sponsored by alumni!
Some of my happiest moments is when I hear of our alumni in the US, Australia, South Africa, Turkey and other places doing great things for themselves. Or they show up in alumni meetings looking sharp. Or they come to facilitate sessions during workshops. Or they just offer to buy a cup of coffee at a decent coffee house or restaurant.
While my dream is to see quality education accessible to all, we still have a long way to go. There are a lot of girls at the risk of getting married early or subjected to adverse cultural practices. Many boys will likely join criminal gangs or become victims of drug abuse. School is not a safe place to grow up, it’s also the only ticket out of poverty. And we cannot wait for education to be made affordable by the government. We have to act now. The plan is to give scholarship to as many deserving scholars as possible. In addition, we will strengthen our auxiliary programs both at the high school level and after to ensure that our scholars eventually earn a decent living. To make this possible, we seek meaningful partnerships with individuals, corporates and foundations among others.
“There is joy in realizing the changes that happens right in front of you. That their life is forever changed and there is no holding back anymore so they soar.”
Norlena-Albert CJ
Deputy Director