By Yoga David
Photos by Calvin Randy
Governor Anyang Nyong’o has asserted Kisumu County’s commitment to vocational training as a key pathway for youth empowerment, calling for deeper partnerships and more investments in skill-based education.
Speaking during the Kisumu Conference Centres of Vocational Expertise in Action at Akado Vocational Training Centre in Kolwa. The Governor praised the transformation of VTCs into spaces of real impact.
“What I witnessed was not merely an investment in bricks and mortar. But a bold step forward. A symbol of our collective commitment to empowering the youth of Kisumu county with market ready skills,” said Governor Nyong’o after touring the newly enhanced Akado’s Automotive Engineering workshop, which he officially launched today.
He emphasized that training institutions must prioritize tools and content over appearance.
“This is an institution in the village. It has all the characters of a village. Maintain the feel. What matters is what happens inside the classroom. That is what builds dignity and employment not cabros”
The Governor pledged to support the centre with new facilities such as a dormitory and a multipurpose hall, adding more development for the institution will be considered through cabinet process, with the Education department taking the lead.
Beyond Akado, he noted that other centres including Rotary VTC, Ojima College, Sabako VTC and SMILE Centre were also delivering impact across Kisumu’s sub-counties.
“These institutions are proving that when we invest in skills, we invest in an assured future of productivity. This and much more, is achievable by action through partnerships” Governor said
CECM for Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services, Mr John Awiti, provided updates on how partnerships have accelerated progress across VTCs
“We are showcasing how our centres are aligning with industry needs to ensure our trainees don;t leave with skills that the market doesn;t need” he said.
Awiti thanked Governor Nyong’o for supporting a sector that caters to a group often left out of higher education, youth who don’t transition to universities or colleges and those without certification despite having skills.
He reported that the department is currently working with 32 partners including Pratham International, Comundo, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and Kisumu Basic Education Trust (KBET).
According to Mr Awiti these partnerships have injected over Ksh 202 million into vocational; training activities this last financial year alone, including sponsorship of trainers to India and Canada.
Awiti stressed that all development proposals concerning county-owned VTCs must go through official channels to ensure coordinated planning.
“Let’s be very clear on how we do our operations, this facility here belongs to the county government, and if there is any proposal, if there is any advice. It must come through our Governor for you to present the case of Akado elsewhere.” he said
He added “ Our intention is to empower our youth so that they can find their place in society where every evening they are able to put food on the table.”
As the county scales up its investment in technical training, the message in Akado was clear: skills are the future and partnership is the engine that will get Kisumu there.
Also present during the conference were County Assembly Majority Whip Seth Kanga, Kolwa Central MCA Kelvin Oraro, Chief Officer Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services Bovince Ochieng, Marc Bloch County Director Comundo and a host of representatives from Kisumu county, Pratham International, CICan, KBET, STEEP, Akado, Rotary, and Sabako VTCs as well as Ujima and Smiles Hub.
