Eldoret National Polytechnic Pushes for Recognition of TVET Graduates in Major KEBS Standards Talks

The Eldoret National Polytechnic has intensified calls for the formal recognition of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates within Kenya’s quality infrastructure system during a key stakeholder engagement forum organized by the Kenya Bureau of Standards on the proposed Standards Regulations, 2026.

The institution, which is ISO 9001:2015 certified, participated in the high-level public participation forum held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, on behalf of Chief Principal Dr. Charles Koech, OGW.

The engagement forum brought together stakeholders from different sectors to deliberate on the proposed standards regulations aimed at strengthening Kenya’s quality assurance framework, consumer protection and industrial competitiveness.

Representing the institution were Mr. Emmanuel Kipruto and Madam Jacinta Muthuri, who presented technical proposals drawn from the polytechnic’s training programs, laboratories and practical experience in technical education.

During the discussions, the representatives strongly advocated for affordable calibration frameworks for TVET institutions, arguing that the current cost of calibration and quality compliance remains a major challenge for many technical training institutions across the country.

They emphasized that lowering the cost of calibration services would significantly enhance training quality, improve laboratory standards and enable TVET institutions to align more effectively with national and international quality requirements.

The Eldoret National Polytechnic team also pushed for the formal recognition of TVET graduates as competent technical personnel within Kenya’s quality infrastructure ecosystem.

According to the institution, many TVET graduates possess the technical competencies and practical expertise required in quality assurance, industrial production and standards implementation, yet they often remain underrecognized in national technical systems.

“The recognition of TVET graduates within Kenya’s quality infrastructure is essential in promoting technical competence, industrial growth and practical innovation in the country,” the institution stated during the forum.

The polytechnic further noted that empowering technical institutions and graduates would help bridge the gap between industry demands and workforce skills while strengthening Kenya’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.

The participation of The Eldoret National Polytechnic in the stakeholder engagement forum was also described as part of its constitutional responsibility under Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya, which promotes public participation, inclusivity and stakeholder engagement in policy formulation.

Education stakeholders attending the forum lauded the institution for taking an active role in shaping national standards and advocating for reforms that could benefit the broader TVET sector.

Analysts say the proposals presented by the institution could significantly influence future discussions on technical education reforms, especially at a time when the government is increasingly prioritizing vocational training as a key driver of economic transformation and youth empowerment.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards is currently collecting views from stakeholders across the country before finalizing the proposed Standards Regulations, 2026, which are expected to guide quality assurance, standardization and technical compliance in various sectors of the economy.

Officials from the institution reiterated their commitment to supporting government initiatives aimed at enhancing quality education, strengthening technical capacity and producing highly skilled graduates capable of competing both locally and internationally.

The Eldoret National Polytechnic has in recent years continued to position itself as one of the leading TVET institutions in Kenya through investment in modern training facilities, industry partnerships and competency-based education programs aimed at equipping students with market-driven skills.