Kisumu: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) was formally introduced in Kenya in 2024, when the Cabinet officially approved the national RPL policy and the government subsequently launched the official RPL Policy Framework. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program is a government initiative that officially assesses and accredits the hands-on experience of Jua Kali artisans, mechanics, and other informal workers.
According to Kenya News Agency, this system allows individuals to earn recognized certificates for skills and knowledge gained through work experience or informal training, without needing to sit in a traditional classroom. The program was designed to help millions of workers in the informal sector, such as artisans in the Jua Kali industry, to get official certification for their real-world experience. This certificate opens doors to formal jobs and further education. Assessment and certification are managed by institutions accredited by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) and government bodies like the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
This initiative helps individuals get an official government certificate for skills they already have, even if they never attended a formal college. It enables them to leverage their hands-on experience in the Jua Kali (informal) sector to find better jobs. So far, the Kenyan government has certified over 60,000 skilled workers who previously lacked formal academic papers. This means they can now secure better jobs and even participate in government tenders for those who are successful in their tendering.
The story of three young artisans who have qualified to be certified as having mastered enough skills in the field of motorcycle mechanics is a testament to the program’s success. The metallic sound of hammers striking steel echoes through the busy streets of Mamboleo estate in Kisumu County. The smell of engine oil fills the air as mechanics move from one motorcycle to another, their hands blackened by grease but their faces bright with determination. In one corner of Lake View Auto Garage, an old motorcycle that many would consider scrap slowly comes back to life.
Brian Ouma, aged 31, sees opportunity where others see a machine destined for the scrapyard. ‘I always believed that an old motorcycle still has value if someone has the skills and patience to rebuild it,’ he says while tightening a bolt on a refurbished engine. Brian started the garage in 2020 after spending nearly seven years working as an apprentice. Growing up in Manyatta estate, he watched his parents struggle to provide for the family. Unable to continue with college due to financial difficulties, he decided to learn motorcycle mechanics from a workshop in the neighborhood.
Today, Brian works alongside two fellow mechanics, Kevin Onyango and Peter Ochieng, restoring motorcycles that have been involved in accidents or abandoned because owners considered them too expensive to repair. The team buys damaged motorcycles, repairs engines, replaces worn-out parts, repaints the frames, and sells them at affordable prices. They also repair customers’ motorcycles, perform routine servicing, and offer spare parts.
Their workshop receives an average of 10 to 15 customers each day, ranging from boda boda riders and delivery operators to private motorcycle owners. On a good day, the garage generates between Sh15,000 and Sh25,000 in revenue. After paying for spare parts, rent, electricity, and workers’ wages, Brian says the business makes a daily profit of approximately Sh5,000 to Sh,000. ‘The profit depends on the type of repairs,’ he explains. ‘Some days are slow, but when we rebuild and sell a motorcycle, the returns are much better.’
The business has transformed not only Brian’s life but also those of his employees. Kevin says the garage has given him dignity and financial independence. ‘I used to depend on casual jobs that were never guaranteed. Today I earn an honest living doing something I enjoy. I can pay my rent, buy food, and even save for the future.’ But success has not come without obstacles.
The mechanics say the rising cost of genuine spare parts remains one of their biggest challenges. Counterfeit parts have also flooded the market, making it difficult to guarantee quality while keeping prices affordable. Another challenge is the increasing cost of rent and electricity, which eats into their profits. During the rainy season, customer numbers often decline because fewer motorcycle owners seek major repairs.
The mechanics also face negative perceptions from some members of society. ‘Some people think mechanics are school dropouts with no future,’ Peter says. ‘But this profession requires knowledge, patience, and continuous learning because motorcycle technology keeps changing.’ Despite the challenges, the workshop has earned the trust of many customers.
Regular client of the trio, George Otieno, says he prefers the garage because of its honesty. ‘They explain every repair before starting the work. They don’t replace parts that don’t need replacing, and their prices are fair.’ The workshop has also become a place where young people come to learn practical skills. Brian occasionally accepts apprentices, believing that mentoring the next generation is part of giving back to the community.
Looking ahead, Brian dreams of turning Lake View Auto Garage into one of Kisumu’s leading motorcycle service centers. He plans to invest in modern diagnostic equipment, employ more young mechanics, and open a spare-parts shop to reduce repair costs for customers. He also hopes to establish a training center where unemployed youth can learn motorcycle mechanics free of charge before joining the workforce or starting their own businesses.
As the afternoon sun shines over the workshop, another once-forgotten motorcycle roars back to life. The mechanics pause briefly to admire their work before welcoming the next customer. For Brian and his team, restoring motorcycles is about more than repairing machines. It is about restoring hope, creating employment, and proving that with determination, skill, and hard work, even what appears broken can begin a new journey.
In a city where thousands depend on motorcycles for transport and income, garages like Lake View Auto Garage are quietly driving economic growth; one rebuilt motorcycle at a time. As the trio look forward to receiving recognition in prior learning in the skills they have acquired practically, many more young people will be looking forward with hope to receive the same recognition, which will go a long way in changing many people’s lives.
