Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced technical and vocational training reforms, reaffirming the government’s push to fully entrench Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), expand digital innovation, and strengthen industry-linked training across all TVET institutions.
Speaking as the chief guest during the 6th graduation ceremony at Meru National Polytechnic, Ogamba said CBET remains the backbone of Kenya’s new skills-driven workforce agenda, designed to equip trainees with practical, market-ready competencies that meet both local and global industry standards.
He emphasised that the ministry is scaling up investments in digital and green technologies including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and climate-smart systems to align Kenyan training with future labour market demands and unlock international opportunities for graduates.
“Our focus has shifted from what learners know to what learners can do. The CBET model empowers students to demonstrate skills that match occupational standards,” he said.
Ogamba outlined the government’s key priorities for the TVET sector: full CBET rollout in all institutions, expansion of the Dual Training Model linking classroom learning with industrial exposure, and intensified Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to certify skilled but uncertified youth.
The CS lauded Meru National Polytechnic for its strong leadership in applied research, innovation, and technology adoption. He singled out signature projects such as the MERPOL banana flour processing unit, the automatic smart bin, and a solar-powered agribusiness dryer, innovations he said directly address community needs while showcasing the polytechnic’s growing national footprint.
He also praised the institution’s impressive performance in national TVET fairs and robotics competitions, describing Meru as “a modern, responsive and forward-looking centre of excellence.”
Chief Principal Dr. Mutembei Kigige celebrated the polytechnic’s rapid growth, noting the institution now trains more than 10,000 learners, decades after its founding in 1956.
He highlighted key milestones, including:
- full CBET rollout across 47 departments
- establishment of an E-Learning Centre and ODeL studio
- deployment of digital learning boards and virtual reality technology
- upgraded income-generating units such as banana flour and wine production
- certification of 106 candidates under the RPL programme
- major infrastructure developments including a new automotive workshop, smart classrooms, extensive solar installations, and an ongoing multi-storey administration block
“We are equipping our students to be technically skilled, digitally ready, and globally competitive,” Dr. Kigige said.
Ogamba and Dr. Kigige tasked the Class of 2025 with embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and transformative thinking, rather than relying solely on traditional employment pathways.
The CS challenged graduates to use their skills to build enterprises and solutions that can lift communities and drive economic growth.
“Do not just hold certificates hold ideas that solve problems. Be job makers and transformers,” he said.
Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening TVET funding, enhancing digital training tools, and deepening industry partnerships to position Kenyan trainees competitively in global labour markets. He underscored that TVET remains central to Kenya’s industrialisation agenda and the broader national development blueprint.
The ceremony ended with leaders congratulating the graduates and urging them to uphold Meru National Polytechnic’s legacy of excellence, innovation and community impact.
