The government has intensified its investment in education and skills development among the youth as the country prepares to mark this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations under the theme of education, skills and the future.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the Madaraka Day thematic week activities in Wajir County, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Esther Muoria, said Kenya’s future prosperity will depend on how well the country equips its young people with relevant and market-driven skills.
Muoria said the education sector was honoured to lead this year’s thematic activities, noting that the focus on skills and education reflects the government’s commitment to building a productive and globally competitive workforce.
“We are here this week about education, skills and the future, which is the theme of this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations as directed by His Excellency the President,” she said.
The PS emphasized that the country’s transformation agenda can only be achieved through deliberate investment in human capital development, particularly among the youth who form the largest percentage of the population.
According to Muoria, the government is keen on ensuring that young people acquire practical and technical skills that match the demands of the changing labour market and emerging economic opportunities.
“The future of our country is about getting the exact skills that we need to transform this country,” she said.
She noted that President William Ruto has repeatedly emphasized the need for Kenya to position itself among developed economies, adding that such aspirations can only be realized through quality education and technical training.
Muoria said the President’s vision of steering Kenya towards a development path comparable to Singapore will heavily rely on the level of education and skills offered to citizens.
“Singapore’s success was anchored on education and skills development, and Kenya must equally invest in its people if it is to achieve sustainable growth and industrial transformation,” she said.
The PS described education as the “master key” capable of opening opportunities for individuals and the country at large, saying investment in knowledge and technical competencies would enable Kenya to compete effectively in the global economy.
She further observed that Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions continue to play a critical role in equipping learners with hands-on skills necessary for employment, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Muoria called on parents, teachers, leaders and other stakeholders to support government efforts aimed at ensuring that every young person accesses quality education and training opportunities.
She said the government is also focusing on inclusivity by recognizing people who have acquired skills informally through work experience and community-based learning.
According to the PS, the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme will help assess and certify individuals with practical skills gained outside formal institutions, enabling them to access employment and other economic opportunities within the formal sector.
“We are ready to assess them through the Recognition of Prior Learning programmes and bring them into the formal sector so that together we can take this country to the developed space,” she said.
Muoria urged Kenyans to embrace skills development and lifelong learning, saying every citizen has a role to play in advancing national development.
She reiterated that empowering young people with relevant competencies would not only address unemployment but also accelerate economic growth, innovation and social transformation.
The Madaraka Day thematic week activities bring together stakeholders from the education sector, government agencies and development partners to showcase programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting education, innovation, and skills development across the country.
By Hamdi Buthul
