The Principal Secretary in the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr Esther Thaara Muoria, has urged technical institutions across the country to establish production units within their campuses to strengthen practical training and enhance graduates’ employability.
Speaking during the First International Conference on Research, Innovation, Science and Technology 2026 at Michuki National Polytechnic (MINAP), Dr Muoria emphasised the need for institutions to integrate classroom learning with real production processes to equip students with hands-on industrial skills.
She noted that the conference brought together stakeholders and TVET institutions from across the country to promote research, innovation and technology for sustainable economic development and youth empowerment.
Dr Muoria challenged institutions to invest in local manufacturing, observing that many goods consumed in the country are imported despite Kenyan youth possessing the knowledge and technical capacity to produce them locally.
“You are not mere observers. You are among Kenya’s most valuable assets. Collaborate widely and innovate fiercely,” she told young innovators attending the conference.
The PS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening national capacity and competitiveness, adding that every national polytechnic has a mandate to regularly convene research conferences to nurture innovation ecosystems within their institutions.
“In TVET, we are not just meant to train; we must also generate new ideas through research and turn them into reality. We are the doers and the innovators. After innovation comes scaling up — and that is how a country becomes industrialised,” she stated.
Dr Muoria stressed that Kenya cannot afford to remain purely academic, underscoring the importance of building a unified ecosystem between academia and industry.
“The world of academia and industry must operate as one ecosystem. Industries should be embedded within our institutions so that they work in tandem. That way, young people will learn exactly what the industry requires,” she said, adding that such collaboration would also create employment opportunities for graduates.
MINAP Chief Principal Ms Ann Mbogo described the conference as a milestone in the transformation of TVET institutions. She said the sector is positioning youth to leverage technology for sustainable development and job creation.
“We are in a transformative space in TVET where we are scaling youth to leverage technology for sustainable economic development. We are skilling the youth for industry and job creation,” she said.
Mbogo noted that the conference seeks to bridge existing gaps in technical training and to commercialise innovation prototypes so they can positively impact industry and local economies.
She revealed that 12 institutions are currently participating in skills competitions under the conference framework, with 10 industries actively supporting the initiative. In addition, more than 400 industries are partnering with the institution to strengthen practical exposure and innovation uptake.
Ms Mbogo further announced plans to roll out dual training programmes to address the mismatch between institutional training and industry requirements. Under the model, students will spend 50 per cent of their training period in institutions and 50 per cent in industry.
“This collaboration will reduce the cost of training and give students better exposure, ensuring we produce industry-ready graduates,” she said, urging parents to encourage their children to enrol in TVET institutions.
Also speaking at the event, Naomi Kagone, Chairperson of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Murang’a Chapter, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting TVET institutions through partnerships and market linkages.
She noted that applied research remains a key pillar of sustainable economic development and pledged to facilitate connections between youth innovators, industries and entrepreneurs to promote commercialisation of prototypes.
“Innovation, when given a platform for commercialisation, becomes a source of employment. We are ready to provide opportunities for young innovators to commercialise their ideas,” she said.
By Florence Kinyua
