The Senate Education Committee has raised serious concerns over the state of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres and Vocational Training Institutions (VTIs) in Bomet County following an oversight tour conducted across several learning facilities.
The delegation, led by Betty Montet and Prof. Margaret Kamar, visited Chemobei ECDE Centre, Sibayan ECDE Centre, Rerendet ECDE Centre and Emkwen Vocational Training Centre, where they found multiple challenges including poor infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate sanitation and learning materials.
The committee, accompanied by County Education officials led by CECM for Education, Youth, Sports and Vocational Training Patrick Maritim, noted that several ECDE centres lacked essential facilities such as toilets, kitchens and proper rest areas for young learners.
At Chemobei and Sibayan ECDE centres, Senators observed that learners were sharing limited facilities due to an unresolved land dispute affecting Sibayan centre.
They further noted that some children had no proper resting space and were forced to use desks due to shortage of mattresses, while sanitation facilities were shared with nearby primary schools.
Senator Nderitu Kinyua questioned the effectiveness of the county’s feeding programme, pointing out that despite significant budget allocations, learners only receive 200ml of milk twice weekly.
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Senators begin oversight tour to assess ECDE and VTCs across four counties
He termed the situation insufficient, stressing that proper nutrition is critical for concentration and child development in ECDE institutions.
Sen. Ole Kanar Seki urged the county government to urgently prioritize improvement of ECDE facilities, saying young learners deserve safe, dignified and conducive learning environments.
At Rerendet ECDE Centre, the Committee found learners studying inside a temporary structure at a tea buying centre, a situation they said exposes children to distractions from commercial activities.
Senators were informed that delayed payment of Ksh500,000 for land acquisition had stalled construction of a permanent ECDE facility.
Sen. Agnes Kavindu Muthama called on the county government to immediately settle the outstanding payment and fast-track development of a permanent learning facility, noting that prolonged delays were unfair to learners.
Committee Chairperson Sen. Betty Montet directed the county government to clear the land payment within one month, warning that failure to comply could lead to summons before the Senate.
At Emkwen Vocational Training Centre, the Committee acknowledged some improvements but emphasized the need for further investment in equipment, infrastructure and student support programmes to strengthen skills training.
Sen. Johannes Mwaruma encouraged trainees to remain committed to vocational education, noting that technical skills remain key drivers of youth employment and economic empowerment.
Vice Chairperson Sen. Prof. Margaret Kamar emphasized the need for increased county investment in both ECDE and vocational training, particularly in infrastructure development and improved feeding programmes.
The Committee further observed that most ECDE centres in Bomet operate within primary school compounds, a situation they said undermines the creation of independent, child-friendly learning environments and requires urgent restructuring.
By Philip Koech
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