The National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) particularly Chiefs and their Assistants from across Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu Counties have been trained as part of TVET marketing team. This is part of the ongoing government initiative through the State Department for TVET to bring on board NGAOs as critical grassroots mobilizers to drive the 100 percent transition and enrollment of youth into TVET institutions.
Speaking when she presided over the NGAOs TVET sensitization forum at The Eldoret National Polytechnic, The Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening technical education and empowering young people through skills-based training.
As part of the Grassroots Mobilization team, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs are authorized to use community barazas and work directly with village elders to identify KCSE and KCPE leavers who are idle and encourage them to enroll in nearby vocational training centers
Dr. Muoria emphasized the critical role TVET institutions play in equipping learners with practical skills that are directly aligned with the demands of the modern job market. She noted that unlike many conventional academic pathways, TVET programmes enable learners to acquire hands-on competencies within a relatively short period, allowing them to secure employment opportunities or establish their own businesses.
“We want to a conversation with NGAO. These young people are in the villages. It is the chiefs; it is the assistant chiefs who know where these young people are. We want Ngao to help us to mop them up, tell them that we have the requisite training to afford them,” alluded The PS TVET.
“And this training is at least three to six months, and you have a certificate, and you can go to the world of work, and you can always come back as the modular system is flexible,” she added.
Speaking passionately about the future of Kenya’s youth, Dr. Muoria encouraged students not to lose hope regardless of their performance in secondary school examinations. She explained that TVET institutions provide an alternative and equally valuable route to success by focusing on practical skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“Education is not only about grades. Every young person deserves an opportunity to develop their talents and acquire skills that can transform their lives and contribute to national development,” she said.
She further urged parents and guardians across the country to consider enrolling their children in TVET institutions, noting that technical and vocational training has become increasingly important in addressing unemployment and bridging the skills gap in various sectors of the economy.
She highlighted the government’s continued investment in the TVET sector, revealing that the state shoulders the largest portion of training costs as parents only contribute approximately Sh 67,100 annually, making technical education more affordable and accessible to many Kenyan families.
The event also served as an opportunity to showcase the progress being made within the TVET sector, with institutions such as The Eldoret National Polytechnic continuing to produce skilled graduates in fields ranging from engineering and information technology to business, hospitality, and other technical disciplines.
Dr. Muoria praised the institution’s efforts in nurturing competent and innovative graduates who are helping drive economic growth and development both locally and nationally. She encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities available through TVET programmes and to view technical training as a pathway to self-reliance and career success.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Ribonvilla Khaemba
