New institute to train youth in Nandi County

By Vincent Bartoo

Nandi County

Construction of a Sh500 million technical institute in Aldai, Nandi County, to help the youth further their education has kicked off.

The brainchild of area MP  Sally Kosgei, and funded by the African Development Bank will boost transition rates from the over eight local village polytechnics.

Kosgei, also the Agriculture minister, said the new Aldai Technical Institute would also absorb students from other regions.

“We have built over eight village polytechnics in the constituency and this institute will help absorb students as they go on furthering their studies up to university level,” she said.

The minister said the institute would enroll hundreds of youth once complete in the next four years.

“The institute will mould the next generation of technical experts Kenya urgently needs to move to the next level,” she said during a tour of the project.

Technical Expertise

Recently, Higher Education Minister Margaret Kamar said the country has a shortage of technical expertise. She said the country has few technologists, technicians, artisans and engineers to match the demand in line with the Vision 2030.

“To achieve Vision 2030, we need 30,000 engineers, 90,000 electricians and about 400,000 artisans who will be produced by technical institutes,” she said.

Nandi County Education Director, Eliud Wanaswa said the institute would help engage many youth who lack avenues to further their studies.

“If this nation has to prosper, we need such initiatives that will engage the youth into proper utilisation of their skills and talents,” he said.

Enrolment Rates

Wanaswa said the Ministry of Higher Education is implementing the project together with the Ministry of Public Works.

Chairman of Technical and Vocational Training Institutes in Kenya, Edwin Tarno, called for more collaboration from public and private sectors to boost technical expertise.

“Technical training has been revitalised to attract many of our youth, hence the high enrolment rates,” he said.