The Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST) Programme has launched a fresh drive to strengthen vocational training in Busia County, in a bid to prepare young people for careers in Kenya’s growing blue economy.
A delegation led by KBEST Senior Technical Advisor Joel Oloo kicked off a three-day tour of the county on Wednesday. Hosted by Governor Paul Nyongesa Otuoma, the team is inspecting facilities at Busia Vocational Training Centre (VTC), Namasali VTC, and Bumbe National Polytechnic—institutions forming the KBEST 06 Cluster.
They are on the ground to monitor the ongoing workshop construction works, equipment procurement, course accreditation by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), and building stronger links with industry players.
Governor Otuoma, who chairs the Council of Governors’ Blue Economy Committee, urged KBEST to transfer advanced Canadian aquaculture technologies to Kenya. “We must modernize and commercialize fish farming. With KBEST’s support, our young people can be equipped to drive this transformation,” he said.
ALSO READ:
Governor Ottichilo backs self-employment as Vihiga revamps vocational training
Oloo stressed that the programme’s immediate focus is on finalizing equipment specifications, speeding up accreditation, and involving community-based organizations (CBOs) to ensure long-term sustainability.
County Executive for Education and Vocational Training, Beatrice Nakholi, said Busia is meeting its obligations, citing trainer recruitment and infrastructure as priorities. She reported that Busia VTC is 75 percent complete, while Namasali VTC has reached 68 percent, with walling and roofing finalized.
In a bid to make vocational training more inclusive, the county has also budgeted for a Child Care Centre to support teenage mothers starting in 2025–2026, submitted trainer requisitions for new Food Production courses, and set up a Gender Mainstreaming Committee alongside partnerships with local CBOs.
The delegation later toured Busia VTC, holding talks with school heads, county public works officials, and Blue Economy Ambassador Sarah Martha Anyika of Dhamira Moja CBO—highlighting the programme’s community-first approach.
Through collaboration with Canadian institutions, KBEST hopes to position Kenya’s vocational training sector as a pipeline for skilled workers in the global blue economy.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
