Kakuma: A new training institute aimed at equipping women, youth, and other vulnerable groups with market-ready technical and vocational skills has opened its doors in Kakuma. Turkana County Deputy Governor, Dr. John Erus, presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the German Embassy, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, alongside county and sub-county officials.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Namelon Training Institute is among several enterprises established with support from the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF)-a joint initiative of the IFC and development partners that promotes private sector growth in displacement-affected areas. Speaking during the event, Dr. Erus commended the partnership between the County Government, IFC, and donor institutions, noting that the collaboration had opened new opportunities for inclusive growth, economic transformation, and host-refugee integration.
Dr. Erus remarked on the visible impact of this partnership, highlighting the emergence of new institutions and enterprises that empower the local population. He urged beneficiaries to fully utilize this support to expand their ventures and create more opportunities for the community, emphasizing the county’s confidence in the institute’s role in bridging the local skills gap.
County Secretary Amb. Dr. Richard Ekai emphasized the importance of vocational training, referencing global models that prioritize technical skills as key drivers of national development. He encouraged youth participation in skills-based learning to enhance employment and self-reliance prospects.
County Executive for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Areas Management, Faith Aletea, stressed the need for ongoing partnerships to help Kakuma evolve into a vibrant municipality. In addition, County Executive for Trade, Tourism, Gender and Youth Affairs James Wangiros noted that the institute and other KKCF-supported enterprises would transform Kakuma into a bustling hub of trade and innovation.
The delegation also visited other KKCF-supported ventures, including Sanivation Limited, which provides sanitation and waste-to-energy solutions; Renewvia Energy, a solar power provider; and Silo Agrovet, which promotes fodder production and prosopis control for sustainable livestock farming.
