The Kenya Union of Technical and Vocational Education Trainers (KUTVET) has strongly opposed proposed changes to the human resource management structure of National Polytechnics, warning that the reforms could undermine trainers' job security, compromise the quality of technical education and increase the cost of learning.
In a letter dated November 4, 2026, addressed to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the union issued a categorical rejection of three draft human resource documents developed by the government.
The documents include the Generic Human Resource Instruments for National Polytechnics covering organisational structure, grading and staffing, the Human Capital Management Policies and Procedures Manual and the Career Guidelines for National Polytechnics.
KUTVET Secretary General Kepher Oguwi said the proposed frameworks were developed without adequate stakeholder involvement, describing the process as fundamentally flawed and potentially detrimental to the welfare of TVET trainers and the future of technical education in Kenya.
Speaking to Education News Oguwi argued that KUTVET, which represents TVET trainers, was not meaningfully involved in developing the documents despite their far-reaching implications for the sector.
It also questioned the introduction of career guidelines and organisational structures before establishing a distinct Scheme of Service specifically tailored to TVET trainers.
Oguwi further raised concerns over the alleged restriction of access to the draft documents, claiming that some National Polytechnic principals had been instructed not to share them publicly to allow for open public participation.
He questioned the rationale behind such instructions, arguing that restricting access to the documents could undermine transparency and meaningful stakeholder engagement in a process that directly affects thousands of trainers.
One of the union's major concerns is the proposed transfer of employment management responsibilities for National Polytechnic trainers from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to individual National Polytechnic Councils.
KUTVET argues that the proposed arrangement could weaken centralised human resource management and undermine the principles of public service equity, professionalism and security of tenure.
The union has strongly opposed any move that could compromise the PSC's mandate over the trainers, insisting that their employment arrangements should remain within a legally sound and professionally managed public service framework.
According to KUTVET, transferring employment responsibilities to individual institutional councils could expose trainers to inconsistent human resource policies and undermine their employment stability.
KUTVET has also questioned the financial sustainability of the proposed employment model, arguing that National Polytechnics lack guaranteed and adequate recurrent funding to independently meet trainers' salaries, teaching resources and institutional maintenance costs.
The union fears that shifting the responsibility of employing trainers to individual institutions could force National Polytechnics to rely heavily on internally generated revenue, particularly student fees, to sustain their operations.
It warned that such an arrangement could trigger significant increases in tuition fees, potentially locking out vulnerable students who depend on affordable technical education to acquire employable skills.
The union further cautioned that institutions could face financial difficulties similar to those experienced in some county governments, where inadequate funding has contributed to salary delays and industrial disputes.
KUTVET maintains that technical and vocational education should remain a publicly supported service, with the national government playing a central role in financing and managing trainers' compensation.
The union also cited Kenya's education history, arguing that centralised management of education personnel through established public institutions is important in maintaining stability, consistency and quality in the sector.
In its demands, KUTVET has called for the immediate withdrawal of all three draft documents and urged the State Department for TVET to convene a multi-stakeholder consultative forum involving the union and the Public Service Commission.
The proposed consultations, according to the union, should pave the way for the development of a legally sound, adequately funded and comprehensive Scheme of Service specifically designed for TVET trainers.
Oguwi warned that the union would explore all available legal and industrial mechanisms to protect its members' rights, welfare and employment arrangements.
The union also disclosed that some of its members had expressed willingness to seek transfers to Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) and Technical and Vocational Colleges (TVCs) rather than remain under the proposed National Polytechnic employment arrangement.
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