By Isaiah Lucheli

Mr Edwin Tarno was so apathetic to a promotion to head Kaiboi Technical Training Institute (KTTI) that he turned it down.

At the time the institute was rundown and on the verge of collapse. With a capacity of 700 students it had a paltry 50, and was grappling with salary arrears and debts of over Sh7 million from sundry creditors.

Rift Valley Technical Training Institute Principal Edwin Tarno.

The stark reality was too much for Tarno.

"I was shocked at the mess the college was in due to mismanagement. Although it was my dream to head a college this was a nightmare," he says.

It took the intervention of officials from the Ministry of Education for him to accept the job.

But once he arrived at his new workstation, Tarno put aside his disappointment, rolled up his sleeves and looked for ways to revive Kaiboi.

"With the help of the members of staff we launched a six months rescue plan," he says.

Since then his efforts to turn around the institution has earned him international recognition.

Under his stewardship things quickly started to look up for the institute that received the award of being the most improved institution from the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2005.

That year student enrolment rose by over 400 per cent. Within two years of his posting, enrolment soared to over 700, the college paid off its debts and new courses were introduced enabling the college to find its niche in the world of academia.

Many took notice of the improvements and two years later Kaiboi was recognised by a unit of Unesco involved in technical training for improvement in enrolment and development.

Dr John Simiyu of Moi University, who did a case study of the institution for Unesco, found that the institute offered dynamic vocational training.

The findings earned Tarno invitations to give lecture on management of technical institution in South Africa and Malawi.

Within four years the turnaround was complete.

"In 2005 and 2006 the Ministry of Education recognised Kaiboi as the most reformed institution.

Tarno was later transferred to Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) where he spearheaded another revitalisation, which resulted in the college being awarded 29 gold medals during the Presidential Award Scheme.

The scheme encourages the youth to live responsibly, engage in charity and social work to the community.

RVTTI has integrated information communication technology (ICT) in learning, teaching and management.

Tarno says this has enhanced efficiency and competitiveness.

He says ICT has lessened the use of paper, cut cost, and increased efficiency in terms of work output and learning contact hours between teachers and students.

Tarno who has a master’s degree in technical training says RVTTI has met over 60 per cent of the requirements for ISO certification.

"Because of teamwork among staff, we have scored highly in our performance contracts," says Tarno. He attributes his success to developing achievable strategies through strategic planning and implementation.