- Taita-Taveta National Polytechnic students turn gemology course into an income-generating venture under Tsavo Speckles Innovation Hub.
- Students use the county’s precious and semi-precious minerals to produce jewellery, mosaic artworks, souvenirs and CBC educational kits.
- Trainer says hub complements Voi Gemstone Value Addition Centre, targets local and international markets while promoting ethical value addition.
Students at the Taita-Taveta National Polytechnic, formerly Coast Institute of Technology (CIT), have turned the gemology course into a vibrant income-generating activity.
Working under the banner of Tsavo Speckles Innovation Hub, the students are utilising the diverse mineral resources available in the county not only to produce jewellery but also impressive artworks as well.
Taita-Taveta holds hundreds of minerals of precious and semi-precious nature, which, if fully exploited, could play a significant role in the county economy.
Speaking to Education News on the sidelines of the Taita-Taveta Trade Expo held at the Voi Gemstone and Value Addition Centre, a trainer at the institution, Moshe Mwandigha Mwakulila, said they are targeting both local and international markets for their finished products.
“We are proud to be the only national polytechnic in the country that not only boasts a well-equipped gemology department but one that also engages in the processing of raw gemstones into beautiful and high-quality products like jewellery and artworks,” said Mwakulila.
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He said some of the waste left behind after cutting the gemstones into different sizes and shapes is used in the making of impressive artworks.
“As an institution, we want to underscore the fact that value addition to our gemstones can be undertaken successfully in our institutions and the country at large instead of being exported as raw materials for cutting overseas,” said the trainer.
He pointed out that the Tsavo Speckles Innovation Hub is a complementary project to the Voi Gemstone and Value Addition and Marketing Centre.
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“Our mission is to empower miners, youths and local communities by promoting ethical and sustainable gemstone value addition while supporting conservation and tourism,” said Mwakulila, adding that the institution aspires to become Kenya’s leading innovation hub that transforms raw gemstones into high-value products through technology, creativity, conservation and education.
Among their finished products are gemstone mosaic artworks, jewellery from small gemstones, souvenirs for tourists, educational kits for schools (CBC), corporate gifts and awards, among others.
By Pascal Mwandambo
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