- Kisumu County has dispatched equipment worth KSh20 million to strengthen vocational training across its centres.
- Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o says the investment will equip young people with practical, income-generating skills.
- Fredrick Odiero reports that rising enrolment is increasing demand for trainers, workshops and learning facilities.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has flagged off assorted equipment and tools worth KSh20 million, which will be dispatched to 30 vocational training centres (VTCs) across the county.
Nyong’o said the dispatch is in line with his administration’s commitment to strengthening and improving VTCs in the area.
One year ago, in August 2025, he said, the county flagged off KSh18 million worth of equipment to 28 VTCs spread across Kisumu County in virtually all the wards. The earlier KSh18 million distribution to 28 VTCs was reported in August 2025.
“Today we add a further KSh20 million. This is not something we do for the moment. We budgeted for it, planned and institutionalised it in our FY 2025/26 budget. That is how serious we are as the County Government,” he said.
The governor said the network has grown from 28 to 30 VTCs, with St Michael Mariwa in Koru-Muhoroni and Sang’oro in West Nyakach being the latest to be established.
In these centres, he said, the county has more than 6,500 trainees after 3,165 men and women graduated earlier in the year in 11 different disciplines. The graduation of 3,165 trainees at the county’s third joint VTC graduation ceremony in March 2026 is independently documented.
On the issue of trainers and managers, the governor said the county is closing the trainer shortage gap.
Against the required 384 trainers, Nyong’o said the county currently has 97, with a plan to recruit 25 every financial year until it reaches the requisite number.
He urged the youth not to wait for employment but to create it, adding that VTCs provide them with that opportunity.
The governor said no young person should be locked out for lack of fees since the county has set aside KSh11.9 million for VTC bursaries, with more to come this financial year.
He said the county is keen on building a skills economy for the Lake Region, with competent young people moving from training to enterprise, income and transformation.
Demand for vocational training rises
The governor at the same time pointed to the rapid growth of vocational training as evidence of increasing demand among young people for practical skills that can lead to employment and entrepreneurship.
Nyong’o said enrolment at the Rotary Vocational Training Centre in Kisumu City has risen from about 150 learners in 2022 to roughly 2,500 trainees, with demand continuing to increase. The figures were also cited by Nyong’o in a statement on September 20, 2026.
He said the growth demonstrates a changing attitude towards technical and vocational education, with more young people viewing skills training as a route to earning a livelihood.
“When we began strengthening vocational training in Kisumu, our ambition was to give our young people practical skills to enable them to earn a living, build enterprises, and take their place in our economy,” Nyong’o said.
The governor said Rotary VTC has developed into a Centre of Excellence offering training in electrical engineering, masonry and plumbing, fashion and design, and ICT.
He argued that the courses provide opportunities beyond formal employment, allowing graduates to establish businesses and create jobs.
“A graduate in Electrical Engineering can build a career or start a business, just like a trainee in Masonry or Plumbing can find work or become an employer,” Nyong’o said.
Nyong’o said the growing popularity of the centre has created a new challenge, with demand for places exceeding its current capacity.
He said Kisumu would therefore need to expand workshops, classrooms and the number of instructors to accommodate more trainees.
The governor said partnerships had also helped the county improve facilities and equipment, while some departments have introduced income-generating activities designed to expose trainees to practical work environments.
County expands digital skills
Nyong’o also highlighted developments at Katito Vocational Training Centre, where the county is establishing Digital Literacy and Digital Hubs.
He said the initiative is intended to give young people access to computers, online learning, research and digital services while connecting them to opportunities in the digital economy.
The County Executive Committee Member in charge of Education and ICT, John Awiti, said they have been forced to control enrolment at Rotary VTC due to high demand.
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He said county vehicles are now being repaired at the facility.
By Fredrick Odiero
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