- The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening TVET institutions as engines of industrialisation, innovation and job creation.
- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki says Kenya’s future competitiveness will depend on skills, technology and productivity rather than natural resources.
- Officials are pushing for stronger industry partnerships, innovation hubs and practical training to prepare youth for emerging job markets.
The Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions as key drivers of industrial development, innovation and job creation.
The commitment was highlighted during the official opening of the Fourth International Research Conference, Skills Competition, Innovation, Career Guidance and Expo at Kabete National Polytechnic, where Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi Ogamba represented Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
Addressing participants drawn from academia, industry, government and development organisations, the Deputy President said Kenya’s economic future will depend largely on the quality of skills, innovation and productivity among its citizens rather than the availability of natural resources.
Preparing Youth
Prof. Kindiki praised Kabete National Polytechnic for its longstanding contribution to technical education and innovation, noting that institutions of its calibre are critical in helping Kenya achieve its industrialisation ambitions.
He observed that rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, are transforming workplaces worldwide and creating new challenges for job seekers.
At the same time, emerging sectors such as renewable energy, climate-smart technologies, e-mobility and the blue economy are creating significant opportunities for skilled workers.
According to the Deputy President, the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) seeks to ensure young people benefit from these opportunities through investments in digital infrastructure, innovation, green growth and technology-driven industries.
Expansion of TVET Reforms
Prof. Kindiki highlighted several reforms aimed at modernising technical education.
These include:
- Introduction of dual training programmes.
- Implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning framework.
- Investments in modern training facilities and equipment.
- Expansion of technical institutions.
- Increased recruitment of trainers.
He revealed that enrolment in TVET institutions has risen significantly from about 341,000 trainees to more than 718,000 learners.
The Government is targeting two million trainees in the future.
He also noted that funding to the education sector has increased from approximately Sh544 billion to more than Sh702 billion to support learning and skills development.
Innovation and Enterprise Development
The Deputy President challenged TVET institutions to go beyond their traditional training role and embrace innovation, research commercialisation and enterprise development.
He stressed the need for promising innovations developed by students and researchers to be refined, funded and transformed into commercially viable products and services capable of generating employment and stimulating economic growth.
According to Prof. Kindiki, innovation hubs, incubation centres and stronger collaborations with industry will play a critical role in converting ideas into successful enterprises.
He added that Government-supported cottage industries within TVET institutions will provide trainees with practical production experience while creating opportunities to manufacture goods for the market.
Call for Practical Outcomes
TVET Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria challenged delegates to ensure that discussions and research findings from the conference lead to tangible changes in institutions, industries and communities.
She emphasised that the value of research lies in its ability to solve problems and improve livelihoods rather than simply generating reports.
“The true measure of success will not be the number of presentations made during this conference but the impact that follows once participants return to their institutions and workplaces,” she said.
Dr. Muoria announced that the State Department for TVET would collaborate with Kabete National Polytechnic and other partners to develop an implementation framework for recommendations emerging from the conference.
She also revealed plans to establish productive industries within TVET institutions to provide learners with hands-on industrial experience while strengthening innovation and enterprise development.
Kabete Polytechnic Hosts Global Forum
Kabete National Polytechnic Principal Patrick Muchemi welcomed participants and highlighted the institution’s rich history as one of Kenya’s oldest and most influential technical training institutions.
Having marked its 100th anniversary last year, the institution continues to play a significant role in producing skilled professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Muchemi said the conference offers an important platform for sharing knowledge, promoting innovation and developing practical solutions to challenges facing society and industry.
Building a Competitive Workforce
The conference has brought together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, trainers and students to explore ways of strengthening Kenya’s TVET sector and enhancing graduate employability.
Key discussions are focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, green skills, industry collaboration and strategies for aligning training with emerging labour market trends.
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The Government expressed confidence that a stronger and more responsive TVET sector will play a central role in creating jobs, supporting industrialisation and positioning Kenya as a competitive source of skilled labour and innovation on the global stage.
By Felix Wanderi
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