Education stakeholders in Vihiga County are raising concern over low enrolment of local students in tertiary institutions, warning that the trend could undermine efforts to build a skilled workforce and drive economic development. The concern emerged during a meeting between education stakeholders and chiefs at the Sabatia Sub-County Headquarters, where officials discussed barriers preventing young people from pursuing higher and technical education.
The meeting was told that only 13 students from Vihiga County were among 197 graduates in a recent cohort at KMTC Vihiga in Mbale, despite the institution being located within the county. Dr James Sure, a lecturer at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), described the figures as worrying, saying the low participation pointed to a disconnect between the educational opportunities available locally and the number of young people benefiting from them.
He called for honest conversations involving parents, administrators and education officials to establish why many young people are not progressing to colleges, universities and vocational training institutions.
“We must bridge the gap before we lose an entire generation to idleness,” Dr Sure said.
Funding gaps and lack of information
Education stakeholders attributed the low transition partly to inadequate information on available courses, admission procedures and government funding programmes. Stephen Ngode of the Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (RIAT) sought to dispel the perception that tertiary education is beyond the reach of low-income families.
He explained that students placed through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) can apply for government financial assistance through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal. According to Ngode, the system uses the Means Testing Instrument to determine the level of financial support a student requires.
He urged young people to take advantage of available scholarships and loans instead of abandoning their education because of financial difficulties.
“Financial constraints should no longer be a barrier. The support is there. Our youth only need to apply,” he said.
Ngode added that institutions such as RIAT have established help desks where students can receive guidance on KUCCPS placement and HEF applications.
Chiefs tasked with education outreach
Deputy County Commissioner Festus Munyao challenged chiefs and assistant chiefs in Izava, Lyaduywa, Busali and Chavakali to take a more active role in promoting education within their communities. Munyao directed local administrators to identify idle young people and encourage them to enrol in technical and vocational institutions.
He noted that the government has invested heavily in TVET infrastructure and training opportunities, but communities must take advantage of the institutions available to them. The administrator also called for increased efforts to ensure children remain in school, warning that school dropouts and youth idleness can expose young people to social challenges.
GBV concerns raised
The meeting also focused on rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the county. Munyao urged chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to intensify awareness campaigns on child protection and GBV prevention. He warned families and community leaders against resolving GBV cases through informal settlements, insisting that perpetrators should be reported to the relevant authorities.
“Perpetrators must face the law. Do not settle GBV cases through kangaroo courts; instead take legal action immediately,” he said.
Stakeholders linked the need for stronger education outreach to broader efforts to keep young people engaged and economically productive.
Changing attitudes towards technical education
Speakers also called for a change in community attitudes towards technical and vocational training.
They noted that some families continue to favour traditional white-collar careers while overlooking technical trades despite growing demand for artisans, technicians and skilled entrepreneurs. Education officials said some students remain unaware of the wide range of courses available in TVET institutions and the financial support they can access.
They proposed increased career guidance in secondary schools, alongside regular community meetings to educate families on tertiary education opportunities. The stakeholders said chiefs, parents, schools and tertiary institutions must work together to ensure young people receive timely information before and after completing secondary education.
For Vihiga, they said, increasing local participation in tertiary and technical education will be critical in building a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the county’s economic growth. The meeting ended with a call to bridge the information, financial and social barriers keeping young people from accessing education opportunities that are already available within and beyond the county.