Young people across Kenya are increasingly turning to technical and vocational education as access to practical training expands, and more institutions bring skills development closer to communities.
The growing number of technical institutions is also making it easier for learners to acquire employable skills without having to travel long distances or meet the higher costs associated with studying in larger towns and universities.
Benson Shitakwa said Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College has made training more accessible to young people in the area.
He said the institution has eased the burden faced by parents who previously had to meet transport and course costs because the nearest technical institute was far away.
Benson noted that the college's central location allows learners from villages, the town and surrounding areas to pursue diploma, certificate and craft courses.
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He said the institution is equipping young people with practical skills, improving literacy and creating opportunities for employment within the community.
Benson added that the college has also provided young people who previously had little to do with an opportunity to acquire skills, continue with their education and improve their prospects.
He hopes more technical colleges will be established in other areas and that additional courses will be introduced to enable more young people to acquire practical skills and build better futures.
Collins Kibet, a resident of Chepseon, said Chepseon Polytechnic has made technical education more accessible to young people in the area.
He said learners can now walk to the institution or spend less on motorcycle transport instead of travelling to distant centres such as Kericho and Londiani.
According to Collins, the institution is helping young people acquire practical skills, including computer studies, welding and other technical courses.
He said it has also created opportunities for learners who may not have proceeded to secondary school to develop skills and pursue areas of interest.
Collins said the improved access represents a major change from the past, when distance and transport costs made it difficult for many young people to attend polytechnic institutions.
The expansion at the grassroots level comes against the backdrop of a sharp increase in TVET enrolment nationally.
The number of TVET learners has risen from approximately 350,000 in 2022 to 1,201,320 as of May 2026.
More than 26,000 students who scored C+ and above have also voluntarily enrolled in TVET programmes, indicating growing interest in technical and vocational education.
Kenya currently has about 260 TVET institutions, including 33 national polytechnics.
The government is pursuing plans to establish a TVET institution in each of the 290 constituencies, with 17 additional institutions currently under construction as the country targets an enrolment of two million learners.
The government has also expanded practical training through Competency Based Education and Training, modular programmes, digital skills training, Recognition of Prior Learning and the Dual Training Model, which combines classroom instruction with workplace experience.
Some modular programmes allow trainees to acquire employable skills within six months, while shorter courses can provide specialised skills in as little as one month.
Financial support for TVET trainees has also increased.
Since the 2023/24 financial year, 169,629 TVET students have benefited from scholarships, with Ksh6.9 billion disbursed.
Under the new student funding model, learners from the most financially vulnerable households can receive government support covering up to 90 per cent of their education costs.
The support consists of a 50 per cent scholarship and a 40 per cent loan.
The overall number of university and TVET students receiving financial assistance increased from 339,347 in the 2022/23 financial year to 823,691 in 2025/26.
This represents an increase of 484,344 beneficiaries, equivalent to 143%.
Government expenditure on student funding has also increased, rising from Ksh44.24 billion during the three years preceding the Kenya Kwanza administration to Ksh113.66 billion since 2023.
The skills acquired through TVET programmes are also creating opportunities beyond Kenya.
More than 3,000 TVET graduates have obtained seasonal agricultural employment in the United Kingdom through Mkulima Majuu.
Through Kazi Majuu, another 12,465 young people have been mobilised, with 6,206 qualifying for opportunities outside the country.
Government partnerships have further resulted in 1,100 training and employment opportunities in the textile and apparel industry, while 127 jobs have been secured through Sainath Education Centre and EPZ industries.
An additional 49 hospitality jobs have been secured in Jordan, Mauritius and Seychelles.
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