Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has outlined government plans to significantly increase enrollment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions to two million learners by the end of next year.
He said that the sector has received Sh29 billion in the current financial year, and colleges are set to receive an additional Sh2 billion this week to support their programmes.
The CS added that Kenya has signed a new partnership agreement with the Chinese government to help expand 70 new Tvet colleges.
Ogamba made the remarks while presiding over the 20th graduation ceremony at the Eldoret National Polytechnic.
The CS acknowledged that staffing shortages had previously affected training, but said the government had deployed 2,000 newly trained tutors to 242 colleges nationwide.
He said President Ruto’s administration is committed to expanding the Tvet sector to equip youth with skills aligned to the labour market.
Ogamba said that continued investment in infrastructure and training equipment is essential for the sector’s growth.
He urged Tvet colleges to upgrade their facilities and review their courses regularly to ensure relevance in an evolving job market.
He noted that ongoing partnerships between institutions and industries under dual training programmes would ensure graduates are well-prepared to take up available opportunities.
Eldoret Polytechnic’s 40-year journey, Ogamba said, reflects
transformation, resilience and modernisation, all aimed at strengthening
technical training.
He encouraged graduates not to wait for formal employment but to be innovative and use the knowledge they had acquired to create opportunities.
Chief Principal Dr Charles Koech said the institution has
expanded significantly and now hosts more than 18,000 learners and 300
trainers.
He said the polytechnic has become a college of choice, attracting students from more than 40 counties. He highlighted strengthened research and innovation programmes, including the annual research conference hosted by the institution.
Dr Koech added that the college has partnered with various institutions and development agencies to enhance training and opportunities for young people.
He said more than 3,000 graduating learners have been adequately prepared to contribute to national development. He expressed optimism that the coming years would be even more transformative for the college.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evenas Kapkea said the county is working to improve infrastructure, including roads around the institution, particularly in areas where Eldoret polytechnic students reside.
