Kitale: The County will use Sh87.5 million to set up 14 youth polytechnics and upgrade 13 others in order to empower youths by equipping them with basic labour skills.
Governor Patrick Khaemba said the money would be distributed equally across all 25 wards, each getting Sh3.5 million, for infrastructural development. More cash would be allocated to buy equipment and employ tutors.
The governor was speaking at Machewa Youth Polytechnic when he handed over modern woodwork, welding, hairdressing and sewing machines worth Sh1.6 million.
“All polytechnics in this region must be up and running. Most do not have good infrastructure and lack trained personnel. We want to change this state of affairs, employ qualified trainers and give them sufficient equipment to train our youth,” he said.
Mr Khaemba said the technical skills institutions should not be perceived as a place for failures because they helped churn out people with skills to drive the labour sector.
“There are a number of young people who cannot transit to secondary school after completing their primary school education. Polytechnics give them opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills and be self-sustaining,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, County Director of Polytechnics Eliud Lusweti said the shortage of training personnel in the polytechnics was a major impediment to their success.
FEW TRAINERS
“We have 13 polytechnics in the county but only nine employed instructors, which is very few in relation to the student population. As a result, most of these institutions depend on volunteers who quit when parents fail to motivate them by contributing stipends,” he said.
Governor Khaemba said his administration would employ more instructors, adding that the volunteers would be given first priority.
He said the skills from these technical institutions would enable youths to establish self-employment ventures and pledged the county’s support for those who complete their studies to acquire equipment and capital.
Area ward rep Jeff Wamalaba asked parents to embrace polytechnics, saying they should help their children acquire training needed to improve their living standards.
“Contractors at Machewa Polytechnic have delayed the completion of two training workshops. We are giving them two weeks to complete these blocks so that learning can go on smoothly,” he said.
Khaemba’s administration was praised by board member James Kamau who said the institution, which began in 2011, lost all its students after their first year of theory training due to lack of appropriate equipment to facilitate practical training.
Meanwhile, the Elgeyo Marakwet county government has distributed motor bikes worth Sh3.36 million to the Livestock Department to boost provision of Artificial Insemination services in the region.
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The bikes will be used to serve thousands of livestock farmers who still rely on ordinary bulls for breeding.
This has led to a decline in milk production due to inbreeding.
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