- Petitioner Eliud Barasa wants the Senate to probe the governance and financial management of VTCs in Vihiga from 2021/22 to 2025/26.
- Barasa cites poor infrastructure, lack of equipment, delayed salaries and weak oversight of TVET funds.
- The Senate has been asked to summon TVET, Treasury and Public Service officials and audit VTC funds and recommend accountability reforms.
The Senate has been petitioned to investigate alleged governance failures, financial irregularities and administrative challenges affecting Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in Vihiga County.
The petition, filed by Eliud O. Barasa, calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the management of the institutions, citing concerns over inadequate infrastructure, shortage of training equipment and deteriorating learning environments.
Petitioner Cites Poor Facilities and Training Conditions
Barasa says the challenges have compromised the quality and effectiveness of vocational training in the county, with some centres allegedly struggling to provide adequate facilities and resources required for skills development.
The petitioner has also raised questions over the management and utilisation of funds allocated to VTCs and the county Directorate responsible for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years.
He wants the Senate to establish how funds allocated to the institutions were budgeted, disbursed and utilised, and whether the resources reached the intended training centres.
The petition further highlights concerns over delayed salaries, irregular remuneration, poor working conditions and inadequate employment protection for support staff and members of Boards of Management.
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Barasa has also alleged weaknesses in institutional oversight and the implementation of policies governing the operations of VTCs.
He said concerns were heightened by the alleged lack of a transparent mechanism for tracking the implementation of recommendations previously made by the Vihiga County Assembly on matters affecting vocational training centres.
The petitioner is seeking the summoning of officials from the county Directorate of TVET, County Treasury and County Public Service to respond to the allegations and provide details on the management of VTC resources.
He has further called for an audit of funds allocated to VTC operations, staffing, procurement, infrastructure and development during the five years under review.
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The Senate has also been asked to examine labour and governance concerns affecting the institutions and recommend measures to strengthen accountability and oversight.
Barasa wants the reforms to include mechanisms for protecting whistleblowers, trainers, support staff and other stakeholders who raise concerns relating to the management of the vocational training centres.
The petition comes amid growing attention to the role of VTCs in equipping young people with technical and practical skills to enhance employability and self-reliance.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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