The Kisumu County government is intensifying investment in vocational training as it moves to absorb thousands of youths who miss out on university placement each year, positioning skills development as a key solution to unemployment.
County Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services, Bovince Ochieng, said the devolved unit is targeting secondary school graduates unable to transition to university, urging them to enrol in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
“We want young people who do not make it to university to acquire skills that are relevant in the job market instead of remaining idle,” he said.
Bovince Ochieng, County Chief Officer for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services
Growing Demand for Technical Skills
The county’s renewed focus on TVET is already yielding results, with 3,165 trainees graduating recently from 28 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), signaling a steady rise in enrolment and uptake of technical education.
Nationally, over 900,000 candidates sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) annually, yet only about 200,000 secure direct university placement.
In Kisumu, approximately 28,000 candidates sat the exams last year, with nearly 16,000 scoring D+ and below—placing them outside the university entry bracket.
“This is a significant number of young people who may not proceed to university. We are encouraging them to take up vocational training as an alternative pathway,” Ochieng noted.
Investment in Infrastructure and Training
To meet the growing demand, the county has ramped up investments in training infrastructure and human resources:
- 25 instructors recruited last financial year, with plans to hire more
- Sh18 million spent on tools and equipment last year
- Sh20 million allocated for the current financial year
The programme is further supported by partners such as Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST), Pratham, and Tools to Work, who provide equipment and technical expertise.
Digital Skills and Industry Linkages
In a bid to align training with modern workforce demands, the county has established digital community hubs in Ahero, Akado, and Katito, enabling trainees to gain digital skills and access online job opportunities.
Ochieng said the county is also strengthening collaboration with industry players to ensure training matches labour market needs.
“We are engaging industry to ensure that the skills we offer are relevant, while also enhancing opportunities for attachment and employment,” he said.
Expanding Access and Inclusion
Enrolment in Kisumu VTCs has now surpassed 7,000 trainees and continues to grow. To support access:
- The county provides Sh15,000 capitation per trainee
- Childcare facilities have been introduced in select centres to support young mothers
“We want to ensure no one is left behind, including vulnerable groups,” Ochieng emphasized.
Long-Term Vision
The county plans to establish vocational training centres in all 35 wards and expand centres of excellence across its eight sub-counties, with a long-term goal of positioning Kisumu as a hub for skilled labour.
“The world today is driven by skills and we want our youth to be competitive at that level,” he said.
As pressure mounts on university placement, Kisumu’s strategic shift toward TVET highlights a broader national trend—where practical skills are increasingly becoming the cornerstone of employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.