'Come to TVET, We Will Give You a Life': PS Esther Muoria Launches Aggressive Drive to Enroll Every Kenyan Youth in Skills Training at TENP

By Wasike Elvis 

The government has unveiled an ambitious nationwide campaign aimed at achieving 100 percent transition of young people into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, as part of a broader strategy to equip Kenya's youthful population with skills needed to drive industrialization and economic transformation.

Speaking at Eldoret National Polytechnic during a high-level engagement with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), county officials, education stakeholders and TVET administrators from Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, declared that Kenya's future depends on how effectively it prepares its young people for the world of work.

The PS said the government's vision of transforming Kenya into a newly industrialized economy cannot be achieved without a deliberate investment in technical skills and vocational training.

"We are here today because we want to have a conversation around 100 percent transition of the youth to the polytechnics for skilling," said Dr. Muoria.

"This country has got to go to the next level of development, what His Excellency the President is calling Singapore, and for us to be able to do that, we have to industrialize."

Four Pillars of Industrialization

Dr. Muoria outlined what she described as the four critical ingredients required for any country to industrialize successfully.

According to the PS, industrial growth is built on four key pillars: market, money, machines and manpower.

She emphasized that while governments and investors can provide financing, equipment and access to markets, industrialization ultimately depends on the availability of a skilled workforce capable of operating industries and driving innovation.

"I normally tell those who care to listen to me that to industrialize, there are four things that are needed: market, money, machines and man," she said.

"Man is the skilled manpower. Because with all those other things we have mentioned, without manpower, without the requisite human resource, there is nothing you can do about those."

She noted that TVET institutions have become the frontline institutions responsible for producing the technicians, artisans, engineers, machine operators, electricians, plumbers, welders, masons and other professionals who will support Kenya's industrial transformation.

Chiefs Tasked With Identifying Youth

In a move that signals the government's determination to increase TVET enrollment, Dr. Muoria called on chiefs and assistant chiefs across the country to help identify young people who are not enrolled in school, college or employment and guide them into skills training institutions.

The PS said local administrators are uniquely positioned to know where unemployed youth are located within their communities and can therefore play a crucial role in mobilizing them.

"Please, you are the people who know where these young people are in the villages. It is the chiefs, it is the assistant chiefs who know where these young people are," she said.

"We want NGAO to help us mop them up and tell them that we have the requisite training to offer them."

She assured local leaders that TVET institutions are fully prepared to absorb the increasing numbers of trainees.

"We have the curricula, we have the trainers, we have the equipment and more is coming. We are ready."

'Come to TVET and We Will Give You a Life'

In one of the most memorable remarks of the event, Dr. Muoria challenged young people to take advantage of the opportunities available in technical training institutions.

"What we want to tell the youth is that come to our institutions and we will give you a life," she said.

"We will give this country a life because it is you that we want to skill."

She said the country needs a generation of young people equipped with practical competencies that can immediately be deployed in industries, construction projects, manufacturing plants, infrastructure development and emerging sectors of the economy.

According to the PS, once equipped with the right skills, graduates will be in a position to secure jobs, create enterprises and support the country's industrial agenda.

Chinese Investors Seeking Skilled Workers

Dr. Muoria disclosed that foreign investors considering Kenya as a manufacturing and industrial hub are increasingly concerned about the availability of skilled labor.

Drawing from her experience as a member of President William Ruto's delegation during an official visit to China, she revealed that industrialists interested in investing in Kenya consistently raise questions about the country's workforce readiness.

"I was privileged to be part of the team that travelled with His Excellency the President when he held discussions with the President of China," she said.

"A lot of industrialists signed agreements to come to Kenya. What are those industrialists asking? Do we have enough manpower in Kenya to come and drive our industries?"

She argued that attracting investment alone is not enough and that Kenya must simultaneously invest in developing a workforce capable of supporting industrial expansion.

"That is the responsibility of government—to ensure that we have enough manpower and enough young people with the right skills."

Leveraging Kenya's Youthful Population

The PS described Kenya's youthful population as one of the country's greatest assets.

She noted that with an average population age of about 19 years, Kenya possesses a demographic advantage that many developed countries no longer enjoy.

"Our country is endowed with a lot of young people," she said.

"It is up to us as government to ensure that those young people have the requisite skills to do the work that is needed for this country to industrialize."

She warned that without skills development, the demographic advantage could easily turn into a burden characterized by unemployment and economic dependency.

Flexible Learning Pathways

Dr. Muoria highlighted reforms introduced within the TVET sector to make training more flexible and accessible.

She said the modular learning system now allows trainees to acquire specific competencies within a short period and immediately join the labor market before returning to continue their education.

The modular approach enables students to enter and exit training programs at different stages without losing academic progress.

"This training is at least three to six months, and you have a certificate and can go to the world of work," she explained.

"You can always come back and continue with your learning."

She added that the government has also implemented the Kenya Credit Accumulation and Transfer System, which allows learners to progress seamlessly from TVET institutions to universities and eventually attain postgraduate qualifications.

"You can go all the way to PhD level if that is what you want," she said.

Funding Challenges Persist

The PS also addressed concerns raised about students being unable to sit examinations due to financial difficulties.

She acknowledged that the implementation of the government's new higher education funding model has faced challenges largely due to financial constraints inherited at a time of economic pressure.

"As we came in as the Kenya Kwanza government, we found that the coffers were quite wanting," she said.

"As government, we have been struggling to ensure we have sufficient liquidity to take care of all sectors."

Dr. Muoria admitted that the funding model has not yet reached the level the government initially envisioned.

"I must admit that the funding of the new funding model has not been at 100 percent as we would have wanted."

However, she expressed optimism that increased allocations to the education sector announced by President Ruto would strengthen support for scholarships and student loans.

The additional resources, she said, will improve access to HELB funding and government scholarships for deserving students.

Parents Urged to Play Their Part

While emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting students, Dr. Muoria called on parents and guardians to continue contributing towards their children's education.

She observed that many parents assume government should shoulder the entire cost of tertiary education.

"Your children do not become government children when they get to tertiary education," she said.

"In basic education, parents pay substantial amounts, but when learners join tertiary institutions, some people think it becomes entirely government business."

She stressed that education remains a shared responsibility between government, parents, institutions and communities.

"We are all government. Let us work together because these are our children."

Clarification on Examination Fees

Responding to concerns that some institutions were charging separate examination fees, the PS clarified that TVET tuition fees already include examination costs.

She stated that the current annual fee structure of approximately Sh67,100 covers tuition, examinations and related academic expenses.

"I want to state here and now that fees in TVET institutions are approximately Sh67,100 per year, and that amount is inclusive of examination fees."

The clarification is expected to address confusion among students and parents regarding additional examination charges.

Enrollment Numbers Rising

Eldoret National Polytechnic Chief Principal Dr. Charles Koech reported significant growth in enrollment across the TVET sector, attributing the trend to ongoing reforms and increased public awareness.

"Ordinarily I am not supposed to speak when my boss has spoken, but I want to comment that as we witness TVET reforms in the sector, we have seen a lot of enthusiasm from the youth," he said.

"We are recording increased numbers."

Dr. Koech noted that the government's target is to have two million trainees enrolled in TVET institutions by the close of the financial year.

He expressed confidence that the target is achievable, particularly with support from NGAO officers and local administrators.

Expansion of TVET Infrastructure

According to Dr. Koech, the government has significantly expanded TVET infrastructure and invested heavily in training equipment.

"We have already expanded the number of TVET institutions. We have increased the equipment that is available for those institutions, and we are on the right path."

He acknowledged that funding challenges remain but said additional government allocations are expected to unlock opportunities for more learners.

Recognition of Prior Learning Gains Momentum

The principal also highlighted the growing success of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, which allows individuals with practical experience but no formal qualifications to obtain certification.

During the institution's last graduation ceremony, Eldoret National Polytechnic certified 309 RPL candidates.

"We are already working with other TVET institutions as assessment centres, and we are seeing a lot of enthusiasm," he said.

The programme has become particularly popular among workers in the construction sector and those involved in affordable housing projects.

TVET Positioned at the Centre of Kenya's Future

As Kenya seeks to create jobs, attract investment and strengthen industrial production, government officials believe TVET institutions will play a central role in producing the skilled workforce needed to power economic growth.

For Dr. Muoria, the message is simple: Kenya's industrial future depends on the skills of its young people.

With millions of youth entering the labor market over the coming years, the government hopes that expanded access to technical education will not only reduce unemployment but also create a workforce capable of transforming Kenya into a competitive industrial economy.

"We are ready as TVET," she concluded.

"We are ready with everything. Let these young people come. Let us train them. Let us build the manpower that this country needs to industrialize."