One thousand needy students from Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College (KERITTVC) have benefited from a bursary worth Shs 6.4 million from the Ainamoi NG-CDF bursary kitty.
The students undertaking both certificate and diploma courses in Hospitality, Agriculture, Building, Electrical Engineering, Information, Communication and Technology, and Liberal studies at the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institution are drawn from the Ainamoi sub-county within Kericho County.
The money released covers the 2023–2024 financial year.
Speaking during the presentation of the cheque at KERITTVC grounds, area MP Benjamin Langat urged youths to engage in practical knowledge and hands-on skills that enable them to become self-reliant and create employment.
Langat said TVET provided the hands-on skills training required by not only industries but also students to create their own businesses and employ others.
“The future belongs to you, and the future of Kenya is in practical solutions.We want youth who can help us make products that we can sell outside the country. Focus on excelling in your studies, and the technical skills you have acquired will assist you in becoming self-employed,” said Hon. Langat.
In today’s rapidly changing and fast-paced world, he said, traditional education alone was no longer sufficient, but a student equipped with hands-on skills will attract employability opportunities and excel in their chosen careers.
The legislator who is credited with the founding of the KERITTVC said he desired to see the institution expand and cater for more students from the other five sub-counties in Kericho.
“As leaders from this area, we have to sit together with all stakeholders and seek all possible avenues that will see this TVET institution get more land for putting up additional infrastructural developments. We will work to see that those who fall out of their studies because of lack of school fees are brought back to complete their education,” added Hon. Langat.
The institution’s Principal, Shadrack Tonui, said student enrollment was growing and there was a need for more space to accommodate the surging numbers, which he attributed to the community’s acceptance of the concept of technical education.
Ainamoi NG-CDF Chairman Philip Kemei urged beneficiaries to utilise the bursary well by working hard and achieving good results, which will make them marketable locally and internationally.
The student President Duncan Cheruiyot, appealed to leaders to help purchase a bus for the TVET College to ease transportation challenges.
KERITTVC is among the second set of 60 public TVET institutions situated in the Ainamoi sub-county within Kericho County. It is the fifth TVET in Kericho County, with a student population of 2,300. The college was constructed pursuant to the government’s commitment to build at least one technical and vocational college in every constituency. The institute’s first phase was jointly funded by the government and NG-CDF in 2015 and completed in 2019.
Kericho has six sub-counties, notably Ainamoi, Belgut, Bureti, Londiani, Kipkelion, and Soin/Sigowet sub-counties.
By Sarah Njagi
