Nandi County: Investors will not be attracted to a country whose economy is not dominated by sufficient skilled and trained labour force. Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, emphasized this point during the first graduation ceremony at Kaiboi National Polytechnic. He noted that international investors are increasingly moving away from countries that neglect training their workers in various skilled trades.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mudavadi highlighted that Kenya is becoming a hub for skilled laborers, thanks to the government’s introduction of Competency-Based Education Training and the Competency-Based Curriculum system. He stressed that countries with a vibrant skilled workforce drive the global economy by reducing production costs and ensuring sustainability. “Capital goes where there is skilled manpower,” he asserted, noting that Kenya is now a benchmark for other countries seeking to improve their education and training systems.
Mudavadi warned that continuous workforce skill development is crucial, as international aid is no longer reliable. He expressed confidence that a skilled labor force will attract capital and investment, stabilizing the economy in the face of international funding challenges. He also mentioned that an appointed team would soon present a report to address funding issues in tertiary institutions and colleges.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary noted that the government is addressing the trainer deficit in TVET institutions, having recently recruited 2,000 trainers. He also discussed the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework, which formally recognizes skills gained through work experience, enhancing access to education and employment opportunities.
Principal Secretary of the State Department of TVET, Dr. Esther Muoria, stated that the government is retooling TVET trainers to align with current technological trends, including Artificial Intelligence, to prepare trainees for the international job market. Nandi Governor Stephen Sang called for a separate funding model for TVETs and universities, praising the success of the new funding model with TVETs.
The graduation ceremony marked Kaiboi National Polytechnic’s first since its elevation from a Technical Training Institute. A total of 1,611 trainees graduated in fields such as Agriculture, Engineering, and Computing and Informatics. The event was also attended by Nandi County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili, Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei, and other senior government officials.