New vocational college stirs up sleepy Mahaya village in Siaya

Speaking during the official handing over of the institution, Siaya County TVET Director Joseph Sunguti said the new college will open up the area's development.

Until 2017, Rarieda sub-county had several primary and secondary schools but not a single tertiary institution.

Some of the renowned schools in Rarieda included Ramba Boys, Lwak Girls and Chianda High School.

And for several years, students who completed secondary education in Rarieda were forced to seek college or university education in the neighbouring Bondo or beyond.

But for the last five years, visible development is fast taking shape, with several institutions of higher learning being established in the area.

With the recent opening of Rarieda Vocational Training Centre, residents of Mahaya and the neighbouring villages are upbeat that the institution is going to open up opportunities that they had never thought of.

Beryl Achieng, a youth in Rarieda, termed the new institution as godsend.

This is one of the developments that will not only promote skills in our area, but also provide investment and employment opportunities, she said.

Ms Achieng' said the new institution would also save them from seeking college slots in far off places.

Speaking during the official handing over of the institution, Siaya County TVET Director Joseph Sunguti said the new college will open up the area's development.

"We have only built the administration block and workshops. This means that we still do not have hostels and we are challenging the locals to build hostels in order to accommodate the students," said Mr Sunguti.

He further challenged them invest in housing projects that will also accommodate the new college's staff.

The college principal Linda Ayubu said they have received applications from more than 50 students and registration is ongoing.

"We are encouraging parents to bring their children for registration in order to develop this institution... The college will offer diploma, certificate and artisan courses," she said.

Area MP Otiende Amollo said the institution had so far cost Sh60 million.

"We allocated Sh10 million from NG-CDF and an additional Sh4.5 million for fencing of the institution," said Mr Amollo.

The legislator urged the national government to maintain the principle of establishing the technical and vocational institutions in every constituency, as well as supplementing student fees.