Kesses Member of Parliament CPA Julius Rutto has called for a legally binding framework to ensure Kenyan graduates are given priority in all major development projects, particularly those executed in partnership with foreign contractors.
Speaking on Monday during the 20th graduation ceremony at The Eldoret National Polytechnic in Uasin Gishu County, the legislator said Kenya should end the long-standing trend where foreign firms undertake multibillion-shilling infrastructure projects using mostly imported technical labour, only to leave with both the earnings and the expertise.
He noted that while Kenya continues to collaborate with development partners, the country has not benefited immensely from skills transfer.
“For years, foreign contractors have completed projects and gone back home with their money and with their skills. This must change,” he said.
The MP urged the Ministry of Education and relevant government agencies to create a clear policy requiring all future projects to reserve space for Kenyan technical personnel, especially newly trained graduates from the local Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
He emphasised that such a framework would ensure that Kenyan youth participate meaningfully in national development while benefiting from hands-on training alongside foreign experts.
According to him, prioritising local graduates will not only strengthen the country’s workforce but also secure Kenya’s long-term self-reliance in engineering, ICT, construction and other technical fields.
“Kenya must be able to sustain itself. We cannot depend on foreign technical support forever,” he added.
The call comes at a time when the government is rolling out major infrastructure programmes, including the expansion of the Northern Corridor and the Affordable Housing initiative, projects the MP said should directly create employment opportunities for the graduates who were being conferred diplomas and certificates at the ceremony.
By Fredrick Maritim
