Eldoret National Polytechnic Launches RPL Centre to Certify Skilled Kenyans Without Formal Papers
All national polytechnics in Kenya have been mandated to establish similar RPL assessment centres, a move that will standardize the program nationwide.
Eldoret National Polytechnic unveils RPL centre to certify skilled Kenyans without formal academic papers.
By Juliet Jerotich
The Eldoret National Polytechnic has officially launched a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) centre, a game-changer for millions of Kenyans who possess valuable skills but lack formal academic certification.
The launch, hosted at the Polytechnic and presided over by Stanley Main, Director of the RPL Delivery Unit under the State Department for Technical and Vocational Training (TVET), marks a bold move by the government to bridge the gap between informal skills and formal qualifications.
“We are here to witness a historic moment,” said Main, representing Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria. “This initiative acknowledges the talents of Kenyans who run our economy daily—mechanics, masons, tailors, electricians—yet have no papers to show for it.”
Certifying Kenya’s Hidden Workforce
The RPL program is designed to identify skilled individuals in the informal sector—especially those in jua kali trades—and provide them with government-recognized certificates after assessment. These certificates are equivalent in value to those awarded in formal education systems.
Main emphasized that the program is not only about certification but about economic empowerment.
“With certification, a casual worker earning KSh 500 a day can start earning KSh 1,500,” he noted. “It opens doors to formal employment, contracts, and even opportunities abroad.”
The Eldoret RPL centre will serve as a regional and national hub, offering assessments in various trades including tailoring, construction, motor vehicle repair, welding, and more.
Flexible, Friendly, and Inclusive Assessments
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the program is its flexibility. Assessments can be done in English, Kiswahili, or even in local mother tongues. Those who cannot read or write can be assessed practically on the job.
“If you’re a tailor, the assessors will come to your workshop. If you fix cars, they’ll assess you in your garage. The system is designed around you,” Main explained.
This approach ensures no skilled individual is left behind due to language barriers or lack of formal education.
Wider Collaboration and National Impact
The program works hand in hand with key industry players, including the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations, which represents over 17 million members. It also partners with government projects like the Affordable Housing Program, using project sites as assessment venues.
Each assessment is recorded in the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) database, meaning that certificates can be verified for authenticity by employers and institutions across the globe.
Open to All, Recognized Globally
“This centre is not just for locals,” Main stated. “Any Kenyan, anywhere in the world, with skills but no papers, can walk into this centre for guidance and certification.”
All national polytechnics in Kenya have been mandated to establish similar RPL assessment centres, a move that will standardize the program nationwide.
Graduates from the RPL stream will be recognized alongside formal students, and often appear first in graduation booklets—a symbolic and powerful recognition of their journey.
A Call to Action
In closing, Main issued a passionate appeal:
“To every Kenyan who knows they have a skill but no certificate—this is your time. Walk into any TVET institution and begin your journey to recognition.”
The RPL program is part of the government’s broader Kazi Mtaani and Kasi Maju initiatives to support livelihoods, boost employment, and formalize the informal economy that forms the backbone of the nation.
With the Eldoret centre now open, Kenya is one step closer to unlocking the full potential of its workforce—one skill at a time.
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