Kshs.40 billion Set Aside To Construct Technical Institutions In Every Constituency

The government has set aside Kshs.40 billion for the construction of a technical institution in every constituency.

This was revealed by Kiambu Women Representative Ann Nyokabi Gathecha during a graduation ceremony at the Kolping Technical Training Institute in Kilimambogo. 

Nyokabi said that the move was aimed at empowering the more than 11 million unemployed youths with skills that would help them be independent and also secure employment. She added that country had a shortage of skilled plumbers, masons and technicians even though they were currently in high demand due to the upsurge of as the real estate developments in the country. 

“The national government plans to establish a polytechnic in every constituency. In Kiambu County, we have rolled out this programme with Lari, Gatundu and Kikuyu constituencies as our centres of excellence where the youth will also be trained on oil drilling. This will equip them to be self-reliant as they can do their own business or secure some employment,” said Nyokabi.         

Nyokabi said that her office had taken special interest in the training of technical skills and so far they had trained 400 students after getting over 3,000 applicants for the courses which showed there is a need.

“At The Thika Technical Training Institute we empowered more than 400 youth in courses such as electrical installation, painting, plumbing, tailoring, bakery, catering, dress-making, wiring, masonry and welding. All them are now earning from either being self-employed on working for other institutions,” she explained.  

She said that instead of giving out Bursaries in form of school fees, her office opted to bridge the gap in those youths who dropped out of school or completed high school but never had the requisite qualifications to join tertially institutions.

“To enable them acquire technical skills, we allocated 10% of our budget which translated to Ksh.400,000 to train 30 youth per constituency in Kiambu County,” she said.   

Nyokabi also said that she had written a proposal to the national government to give tools and equipment to the trained youths so that they could be able to set up their own businesses.

“In partnership with the technical institutions we have come up with a one month course for the youth to get training during the holiday breaks so that they can get the certificates. We have managed to train 400 youth, most of whom were already into drugs and desperate but they are now contributing towards growing our economy,” she said.