Ruiru Technical and Vocational College officially opens in Kenya, offering practical education to increase literacy and employment opportunities

The government of Kenya has completed the construction of the Ruiru Technical and Vocational College, located in Kwihota Village, Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County. This college, which is the 239th TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institution to be fully funded by the government, will offer a range of artisanry courses including electrical and mechanical engineering, masonry, plumbing, beauty, and catering. The goal of this college is to increase literacy levels in the country and provide practical, hands-on learning opportunities for students who may not have the opportunity or desire to attend a traditional university.

Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amolo has encouraged the government to prioritize TVET in order to spur development in the country. He stated that in order for the country to achieve growth, TVETs should be the focus of training by the government and emphasized the importance of maintaining the principle of establishing a TVET in every constituency. These institutions generate skilled manpower and provide students with technical skills that can help them become self-employed if they are unable to find traditional employment. Amolo also commended the government for supplementing fees for students attending TVET institutions.

The NGCDF has released one million shillings to supplement school fees for the first fifty students at the Ruiru Technical and Vocational College. The institution will begin admitting students on January 9th and will be headed by Dr. Linda Ayuku, the former head of academics at Kisumu Polytechnic. Amolo encouraged locals to take advantage of this new institution by investing in housing or renting out parts of their homes to provide accommodation for students from outside the constituency. He also encouraged parents to encourage their children to take advantage of TVET institutions, as they can provide basic courses at the artisanal, certificate, and diploma level and can lead to better income opportunities than a traditional university education.