The Kenya Technical Training College (KTTC) will not be disrupted by its relocation from Nairobi’s affluent Gigiri to Ngong’, according to a main secretary.
The transfer of KTTC to make way for the establishment of an exclusive diplomatic enclave will be done in a three-year phased plan, according to Vocational and Technical Training PS Margaret Mwakima, to guarantee a smooth transition for technical trainers.
According to Dr. Mwakima, the government plans to construct a modern college at a cost of Sh4.5 billion.
Dr Mwakima said the Ministry of Education was in the process of collecting a title deed for 100 acres identified for the new KTTC site yesterday as she completed a five-day capacity building workshop for Tvet principals, deputy principals, directors, industrial liaison and quality assurance officials.
“I strongly urge you to vote in favor of KTTC’s move from Gigiri to Ngong.” We are going to have a cutting-edge facility. It would be constructed in stages, with no disruption to training programs,” she promised.
“Kenya is a signatory to the Vienna Convention, which requires governments to designate an area with enough security, sufficient infrastructure, and suitable set-up to be reserved for diplomatic missions,” she explained.
According to her, Gigiri has been set aside for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHCR), as well as the US Embassy and other diplomatic posts, and hence KTTC must relocate.
Glory Mutungi, the chairperson of the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (Katti), said Tvet institutions need qualified internal auditors, finance, and human resource officers to minimize audit issues.
Ms Mutungi further stated that the institutions require quality assurance officials, and that the structures will aid in the growth of the state department of vocational and technical training.
“In Tvet institutions, structures are desperately needed. We are relieved that you have assured us that this will be resolved. The only option for this department to expand is to put in place structures. “Our hope is to one day have our own ministry,” Ms Mutungi said.
Dr. Mwakima urged technical institutions to form partnerships with private businesses to build industries and other projects as part of public-private partnerships to generate revenue.
According to the PS, principals of technical institutions are permitted by law to seek partnerships and raise finances within the confines of the law.
“You should begin earning money-generating activities right away.” Some Tvet institutions own significant swaths of land and can partner to build industries. She observed, “There is a lot of kindness.”
Despite technical trainers’ career growth being delayed for the past four years after their transfer from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to the Public Service Commission (PSC), she stated the institutions are now stable.
She also vowed to meet with the PSC on Tuesday next week to tackle the challenges that have stymied the technical tutors’ career advancement since they were relocated in July 2018.
