South Rift TVET institutions are banking on a new crop of athletes nurtured within technical colleges to sustain the region’s rich athletics tradition, with officials expressing confidence that trainees selected during the regional championships have the potential to become future national and international champions.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA) during the closing ceremony of the South Rift Regional Athletics Championships held at Kericho Teachers Training College, Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College Principal Shadrack Tonui said the competition had showcased the immense sporting talent available within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the region.
“We are one of the most progressive regions when it comes to implementing the TVET agenda and also one of the most cohesive regions whenever institutions come together for events such as these. We are also among the regions that continue producing trailblazers in track and field. From this championship, we are confident that the team proceeding to the national competition will break records and make the region proud,” said Tonui.
The championships brought together 27 institutions drawn from Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, Nakuru, and Narok counties, all of which have established reputations as Kenya’s athletics powerhouses.
For two days, trainees competed in various track and field events in a contest that doubled as a selection exercise for the South Rift team that will represent the region at the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) National Athletics Championships in Nairobi.
According to Tonui, the significance of the competition extends beyond sports. He said athletics and other co-curricular activities have become important tools for promoting TVET education, attracting young people into technical training, and supporting the government’s efforts to expand enrollment in skills-based institutions.
“When we talk about increasing enrollment in TVET institutions, we must also create platforms that attract and motivate young people. Sports bring trainees together, strengthen unity and provide opportunities that go beyond the classroom. Through athletics, some of these young people can secure sponsorships, gain exposure and even pursue professional careers,” Tonui added
The TVET sector has emerged as a critical pillar in Kenya’s economic transformation agenda by equipping young people with practical and industry-oriented skills. Across the country, technical institutions train thousands of learners annually in engineering, construction, information technology, agriculture, hospitality, automotive engineering, renewable energy, and other sectors that support national development.
As Kenya seeks to create jobs and enhance industrial productivity, TVET institutions are increasingly viewed as the primary source of the skilled workforce required to drive manufacturing, infrastructure development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Many graduates establish businesses of their own, while others fill critical technical positions in both public and private sectors.
Tonui said the integration of sports into TVET education contributes to the development of well-rounded graduates by promoting discipline, teamwork, resilience, and healthy lifestyles.
“This athletics competition brings unity to the region. It helps strengthen the TVET agenda because young people are able to interact, compete, and showcase their abilities. Some of these trainees will become future champions while others will carry the values learned through sports into their careers and businesses,” he said.
He, however, raised concerns over inadequate sports infrastructure in many public TVET institutions, noting that numerous talented trainees continue to train in non-standard environments.
“Most of our youths practice on roads and other unsuitable places because many institutions do not have proper facilities. Despite those challenges, they continue working hard and producing impressive results. We appeal to partners and investors to support public TVET colleges so that we can improve sporting infrastructure and nurture even more talent,” he added.
Also speaking to KNA during the event, KATTI National Sports and Recreation Chairperson and Bomet Central TVC Principal Id Faraj said all nine KATTI regions had conducted similar championships to select teams for the national competition scheduled for Nairobi.
Faraj said the championships continue to create life-changing opportunities for trainees, citing several participants from previous editions who secured employment in disciplined forces and other institutions through their sporting achievements.
“Last year alone, a number of participants secured employment opportunities in the military and other security agencies. In previous years, some were recruited by the Kenya Wildlife Service while others progressed to represent the country in international competitions. These events demonstrate that sports can create livelihoods and open doors for our trainees,” he said.
South Rift Deputy Chairperson and Sot Technical Training Institute Principal Robert Cheres told KNA that the region had prioritized integrity in sports by ensuring that participating athletes were genuine trainees from registered institutions.
“The competition was highly competitive because the athletes were our actual trainees. We are proud of the standards demonstrated during the championships, and we believe those selected will represent South Rift effectively at the national level,” said Cheres.
The championships ended with the selection of the South Rift regional team that will compete in Nairobi, with officials expressing optimism that the athletes will not only excel in competition but also serve as ambassadors of the growing role of TVET institutions in developing both technical skills and sporting talent across the country.
By Gilbert Mutai
