Nairobi: Elgeyo Marakwet County Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions from across the North Rift region have converged in Elgeyo Marakwet County for the North Rift TVET Trade Fair and Innovation Exhibition, aimed at promoting technical skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship among the youth.
According to Kenya News Agency, the two-day exhibition, hosted by Kipsoen National Polytechnic, brought together students, trainers, and education stakeholders from 28 institutions across the region to showcase innovations and practical projects in engineering, Information Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, fashion design, and entrepreneurship. The event highlighted the growing role of TVET institutions in equipping young people with industry-oriented competencies and supporting the country’s agenda on industrialization, job creation, and self-employment.
Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor, Prof. Grace Cheserek, emphasized the importance of technical training in driving the country’s socio-economic transformation through innovation and practical problem-solving. She urged parents to support learners pursuing vocational and technical education, noting that TVET graduates have opportunities for career progression and employment both locally and internationally. Cheserek added that the county government was promoting labor mobility programs such as Kazi Majuu, where graduates from technical institutions stand a better chance of benefiting due to their hands-on skills and competencies.
Speaking during the exhibition, Kipsoen National Polytechnic Principal, Joseph Bittok, highlighted the objective of the trade fair as transforming tomorrow today through TVET skills. He encouraged students to join TVET institutions to acquire skills that advance their lives and emphasized that technical training remains one of the most effective solutions to unemployment among the youth. Bittok further challenged the perception that TVET institutions are meant for academic failures, stating that these institutions are open to all learners interested in acquiring employable skills.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Executive Committee Member for Education and Technical Training, Purity Koima, reiterated the government’s focus on technical and vocational training as a key pillar for economic transformation and youth empowerment. She noted that Elgeyo Marakwet County has 18 institutions under the TVET program and continues to invest in technical training infrastructure and programs to enhance access to skills development.
The exhibition featured innovative student projects and demonstrations, showcasing the practical knowledge and technical competencies trainees acquire during their studies, while reinforcing the importance of TVET education in advancing Kenya’s industrial and economic development agenda.
