The Senate Education Committee has commended the Machakos County Government for its Youth Service Programme, while raising concerns over inadequate resources and declining enrolment in some Vocational Training Centres (VTCs). The committee, chaired by Nominated Senator Betty Montet, said the programme was providing young people with opportunities to acquire practical skills and could play a significant role in addressing youth unemployment.
The committee was accompanied during the oversight exercise by Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu, Laikipia Senator John Kinyua and Nominated Senator Prof Margaret Kamar. The senators noted that Kyamutheke VTC was well equipped and effectively supporting young people enrolled under the programme. The centre currently has about 200 learners, while the county-wide programme has enrolled 1,700 youths across various VTCs.
The committee praised Governor Wavinya Ndeti for the initiative and urged the county to increase funding to expand the programme and raise the number of beneficiaries to at least 3,000. However, the committee noted significant challenges facing some other vocational training centres.
At Kalumoni VTC, enrolment has fallen sharply from 124 learners in 2024 to 17, with financial constraints cited among the factors contributing to the decline. Senator John Kinyua said the committee found only three learners enrolled in an electrical course during the visit, while the institution lacked basic tools and equipment needed for practical training.
Instructors clarified that some learners were away on industrial attachment. The committee noted that although area Members of County Assembly and county bursaries supported learners in 2024, some students had since dropped out because they could not afford the required fees. The situation has raised concerns about the sustainability of access to vocational training, particularly for young people from financially constrained households.
Senate flags ECDE staffing and infrastructure gaps
The committee also raised concerns over the state of Early Childhood Development Education centres in the county. Senator Agnes Kavindu said some centres were operating with inadequate teaching staff, citing a case where one county-employed teacher was managing three ECDE classes. The situation had forced parents to hire an additional teacher to support learning, she said.
Kavindu also raised concerns about the learning environment, including inadequate bedding for playgroup pupils during nap time. She called for separate classrooms for playgroup learners to allow PP1 and PP2 pupils to study in a more suitable environment. Senator Montet said the oversight exercise was part of a wider assessment of devolved education functions across the country.
She said the committee had so far covered 30 counties, with visits to the remaining counties expected to be completed soon. The Machakos findings underscore the importance of sustained investment in VTC infrastructure, training equipment and learner financing to ensure vocational programmes can attract and retain young people while equipping them with skills for employment and self-employment.