Kenya’s TVET Sector in Urgent Need of Infrastructure Upgrade, Says National Assembly Education Committee
“There is an urgent need to fast-track the completion of key facilities like libraries, tuition blocks, and auditoriums in TVET institutions to cope with rising enrollments, “Julius Melly
National Assembly Committee on Education Chairman Julius Melly (center) Dr Charles Koech (right) Chief Principle (TENP) and committee members during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects at Eldoret National Polytechnic.
By James Gitaka
The National Assembly Committee on Education has raised concerns over the state of infrastructure and staffing in Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, citing a critical need for increased investment in the sector.
During an oversight tour at Eldoret National Polytechnic, Committee Chairman Julius Melly described the infrastructure shortfall as a significant bottleneck in delivering quality technical education. The polytechnic, which currently hosts over 18,000 students, is the largest TVET institution in Kenya and a prime example of the sector’s capacity challenges.
“There is an urgent need to fast-track the completion of key facilities like libraries, tuition blocks, and auditoriums in TVET institutions to cope with rising enrollments,” Melly stated.
The committee’s inspection, which also included a visit to Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI), was part of a broader fact-finding mission aimed at informing future policy and budgetary decisions.
Surge in Enrollment, Shortage of Trainers
Kenya’s TVET sector is currently accommodating more than 300,000 students, reflecting a national push toward skills-based education. However, this rapid expansion has not been matched by growth in teaching staff.
Recent reports show that TVET institutions face a shortfall of over 9,000 trainers. From a requirement of 16,518 instructors in the 2023/24 fiscal year, only 7,397 are currently in post, leaving a gap that affects the quality of education delivered.
Rising Government Investment in TVETs
The government has responded with increased financial allocations over recent years:
- 2022/23 Financial Year: KES 24.69 billion (KES 18.86B recurrent; KES 5.83B development)
- 2023/24 Financial Year: KES 27.58 billion (KES 20.32B recurrent; KES 7.27B development)
- 2024/25 Financial Year: Proposed allocation of KES 29.47 billion (KES 22.54B recurrent; KES 6.93B development)
(Source: Open Budget Kenya)
Focused Investments in 2024/25 Budget
Key priorities under the 2024/25 budget include:
- KES 6.93 billion for infrastructure development and expansion within TVETs
- KES 1.57 billion for supporting technical trainers and instructor services
- KES 350 million for registration and licensing of 500 new TVET institutions through the TVET Authority
(Sources: Open Budget Kenya, The Eastleigh Voice News)
Boost in Student Funding via HELB
To further support student access to technical education, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is slated to receive KES 35.9 billion, with KES 7.7 billion specifically allocated for TVET scholarships and capitation.
These funds are expected to alleviate financial barriers and support the growing number of students pursuing vocational education across the country.
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