Busia: The Busia County Government, in partnership with Colleges and Institutes under the Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST) Programme, has launched a fully equipped modern training kitchen at Busia Vocational Training Centre to enhance practical training in culinary arts. The facility, fitted with equipment worth more than Sh1 million, is expected to improve technical skills among trainees and prepare them for employment and entrepreneurship.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking during the launch at Busia Vocational Training Centre, KBEST Senior Technical Advisor, Joel Oloo, emphasized that investing in quality vocational education and strong partnerships is crucial for equipping young people with market-driven skills. He noted that providing skills to youths will help them meet the evolving demands of the labor market and address unemployment. Oloo also highlighted the programme’s support for other training institutions in the county, including Namasali Vocational Training Centre and Bumbe National Polytechnic, through blue economy courses such as fisheries and aquaculture, with equipment deliveries valued at Sh50 million planned for these institutions.
Beatrice Nakholi, County Executive Committee Member for Education and Industrial Skills Development, expressed that the modern kitchen will enhance the quality of practical training and enable trainees to earn income as they learn. She mentioned the county’s intention to open the facility to the public, allowing residents to buy meals prepared by trainees, thereby creating more opportunities for young people to acquire skills and become self-employed.
Busia Deputy County Commissioner, Julius Maiyo, encouraged more youth enrollment in vocational training, noting that technical skills are vital for tackling unemployment and improving security. He urged residents to support the institution by purchasing meals prepared there, thereby providing young people with opportunities to create jobs and engage in productive activities.
Ang’urai East MCA and Education Committee member David Parapara called for the expansion of similar projects across the county to benefit more youths. He mentioned that the County Assembly approved Sh5 million to establish the facility and allocated additional funding to strengthen the vocational training sector in the current financial year.
