The Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS), Najib Balala has assured students undergoing training at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute that Higher Education Loans Board support will be reinstated to assist them as they pursue their education.
Balala said since the institution receives students through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Service, while others apply directly, then the students qualify for the Higher Education Loans Board’s support.
He said this on Friday, when he presided over the 17th graduation ceremony at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in Naivasha.
The CS said the institution offers competency-based skills in both academic and hospitality services, and that is why it had attracted Students from other nationalities, particularly South Sudan who are sponsored through the Kenya- South Sudan Liaison Office.
Balala also challenged KWSTI’s management to strive and make the institute a centre of excellence for other similar colleges to benchmark with.
“I have no doubt in my mind that you have the ability and resources to realize this,” he said, adding that the management of the institute should expand their hospitality services for conferencing and accommodation facilities in order to generate more revenue.
The CS called on KWSTI to work closely with the Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani in order to enrich the knowledge of the rangers who train at the Law Enforcement Academy.
“This will enhance KWS performance in law enforcement, community management, tourism management and the ecology of wildlife,” Balala said.
He said Kenya Wildlife Service Research Centre will be set up in Naivasha and that plans were underway to establish Utalii College as well in the same region.
Those present included the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Wildlife, Dr. Susan Koech, KWS Director General, Brigadier (Rtd) John Waweru, KWSTI Academic and Management Board Vice Chair, Maj. (Rtd) William Kamunge, the Principal of the Institute, Dr. James Njogu, conservationists, representatives from various universities, parents and guardians.
By Kennedy Waziri
