Kabuchai, Kenya — A transformative wave is sweeping across Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, with Kisiwa Technical Training Institute (TTI) in Kabuchai emerging as a frontrunner in the push toward a skills-driven education system.
During a high-profile visit to the institution, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Esther Muoria, announced that Kisiwa TTI is on course to be elevated to national polytechnic status. This milestone aligns with a broader nationwide initiative to reform the country’s vocational training model into a modular, competency-based framework.
“Soon to be elevated to national standard is Kisiwa Technical,” Muoria confirmed during a press briefing at the institute. “It has been my dream to visit all regions, and today I am here in the western region not just to connect with our principals and trainers, but to pass on a critical message.”
The new modular training model will see trainees certified every three months in specific skill sets such as bricklaying, painting, gypsum technology, and plumbing. This approach is designed to deliver practical, market-ready competencies in short, focused cycles, enabling learners to quickly transition into the workforce.
“We want young people to leave our institutions truly competent, ready to go into the outside world,” Muoria said, underscoring the importance of matching training to real-world job demands.
The PS also highlighted efforts to strengthen collaboration with the private sector, citing partnerships with key industrial players such as the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and Full Care at Tatu City. These collaborations aim to create seamless transitions from training to employment, particularly in sectors like fashion and design.
Dr. Esther Muoria
PS, Technical and Vocational Education
In fashion and design, for instance, we’re working with EPZ to train learners in just eight weeks, and they’re job-ready. Full Care is ready to take our skilled youth to make safety gear for global export
The visit to Kisiwa TTI forms part of a wider national tour by the Ministry, designed to rally support for the modular approach and ensure consistent implementation across all regions.
As legal frameworks near completion to upgrade Kisiwa TTI to national polytechnic status, the institute’s transformation serves as both a symbol and a signal—Kenya is resolutely committed to equipping its youth with practical, in-demand skills, one module at a time.
With this shift, Kisiwa TTI not only celebrates growth but also positions itself at the heart of a new era in vocational education.
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