Silverio Omari
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced that the government will enhance investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Speaking on Monday at the Kabete National Polytechnic during the TVET at 100 national celebrations opening ceremony, Mudavadi noted that TVET enrollment has increased by 51.8%.
The rise in enrollment, he explained, is a result of government initiatives, including substantial investment in TVET infrastructure aimed at promoting economic growth and equity. The number of trainees enrolled grew from 250,733 to 380,638 between the financial years 2020/2021 and 2023/2024. Additionally, the enrollment of differently-abled trainees rose from 3,301 to 4,487 during the same period.
“The Government has upgraded and equipped TVET institutions with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, ensuring that Kenyans trained in TVET skills are globally competitive,” Mudavadi stated. He also highlighted efforts to mainstream TVET for differently-abled trainees through four dedicated colleges, which has increased demand for TVET training.
To accommodate the growing enrollment, the government has scaled up the recruitment of additional trainers, hiring 1,300 trainers in the 2022/2023 financial year alone, with plans to recruit another 2,000 trainers currently in progress.
Mudavadi emphasized the importance of scholarship programs in ensuring equity and inclusivity, noting that over Sh1.95 billion has been disbursed this year to 52,542 trainees. Additionally, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has provided Sh6.5 billion in loans to 166,924 trainees. This hybrid funding model is designed to enhance retention and completion rates, ensuring that no one is left behind.
He described TVET’s growth as a key driver of social and economic transformation at both national and local levels, particularly in the context of the fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by rapid technological progress, demographic changes, and climate change. Mudavadi emphasized the need for TVET training to adapt to the emerging global environment and the demand for skills in new growth areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced robotics.
He also praised the partnership between TVET institutions and the private sector, ensuring that training programs are responsive to the needs of the labor market and society.
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