Murkomen Champions TVET as 3,005 Graduate from Matili Technical Training Institute in Bungoma Amid Push for Skills-Driven Economy

Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Kenya’s economy through competency-based education, as he presided over the Third Graduation Ceremony of Matili Technical Training Institute in Kimilili, Bungoma County.

The ceremony marked a major milestone for the institution, with 3,005 graduands officially conferred with certificates and diplomas in various technical and vocational disciplines. The graduates were drawn from diverse fields aligned to Kenya’s growing demand for skilled labour in construction, engineering, ICT, hospitality, and other applied sciences.

Murkomen said the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) places Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions at the centre of national development, noting that skills-based learning remains one of the most effective pathways to employment creation and industrial growth.

“Matili Technical Training Institute is a clear example of how TVET institutions are shaping a workforce that is practical, competent, and ready to meet industry needs. This is the direction Kenya must continue to take,” he said.

He congratulated the graduands for completing their studies and urged them to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and adaptability as they enter the labour market. He noted that the modern economy increasingly rewards practical skills and problem-solving abilities over theoretical knowledge alone.

“You are graduating at a time when Kenya is expanding opportunities in manufacturing, housing, digital work, and agriculture value chains. Your skills are not just relevant—they are essential,” Murkomen added.

Beyond education, the Interior Cabinet Secretary also addressed national security concerns, emphasizing ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening safety within institutions of higher learning. He revealed that the government is integrating school administration structures and student leadership into Sub-County Security Committees to improve communication, early warning systems, and coordinated responses to emerging security challenges.

He further stressed that the government is intensifying efforts to combat drug and substance abuse in learning institutions, describing it as a major threat to youth development and national productivity. According to him, multi-agency approaches are being strengthened to ensure prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation measures work more effectively across the country.

“We are committed to ensuring that our learning institutions remain safe spaces. The fight against drugs requires collaboration between government agencies, schools, parents, and students themselves,” he said.

The event was attended by several senior government officials and leaders, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria and Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa, alongside other county and institutional stakeholders.

Dr. Muoria emphasized ongoing reforms in the TVET sector aimed at improving infrastructure, curriculum delivery, and industry linkages to ensure graduates are globally competitive. On his part, MP Barasa commended the government for supporting technical institutions in Western Kenya and called for further investment to expand training capacity.

The graduation ceremony was widely seen as a reaffirmation of Kenya’s shift toward skills-based education, with Matili Technical Training Institute positioned as one of the key institutions contributing to the country’s socio-economic transformation agenda.

As the 3,005 graduands step into the next phase of life, leaders called on them to become agents of change in their communities—using their skills not only for personal advancement but also for national development and innovation-driven growth.