Efforts to expand access to technical and vocational training in Vihiga County have gained fresh momentum as leaders move to ensure Ebunangwe Technical and Vocational College (TVET) is ready to admit its pioneer cohort for the September 2026 intake.
Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo chaired a high-level stakeholder engagement meeting at the institution to evaluate the state of readiness and establish measures required to clear outstanding hurdles before students report. The session followed a preliminary consultative meeting held at the County Headquarters with delegates from the institution. Governor Ottichilo, who has championed the establishment of the college since his tenure as the Member of Parliament for Emuhaya, expressed commitment to bringing the project to fruition. While noting that the institution has achieved major milestones, he acknowledged that several operational challenges still need to be addressed to ensure a smooth opening.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure the college is fully prepared to receive students and offer young people in Vihiga quality technical and vocational skills that drive self-reliance and local development,” Ottichilo stated.
Stakeholder Support and Staffing Updates
The operationalisation drive has drawn strong support from local leaders and partner institutions. Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba commended the collaboration between county and national leaders, describing the college as a transformative asset for North East Bunyore, Emuhaya, and the broader region.
Key leadership and staffing structures are already taking shape through support from the Ministry of Education and the mentor institution, Sigalagala National Polytechnic:
- Institutional Leadership: The Ministry of Education has posted a Principal and a Deputy Principal to steer the college.
- Trainer Deployment: Four trainers have been posted to the institution, with onboarding already underway to prepare for academic delivery.
- Infrastructure Investment: Construction of a 340-bed capacity student hostel is ongoing, supported by National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) allocations and partnerships aimed at expediting completion.
Economic and Skills Development Impact
Beyond expanding educational access, the opening of Ebunangwe TVET is expected to stimulate economic activity in surrounding communities, boost local security, and create business opportunities for service providers and accommodation operators.
The stakeholder meeting was attended by key administrative and education officials, including North East Bunyore MCA Aineah Hellam Esipirah, Sigalagala National Polytechnic Principal Evans Bosire, Vihiga County Executive Committee Members Ann Desma (Education) and Meshack Mulongo (Finance), alongside administration officers.