Construction works for the Sh58 million Yatta Technical and Vocational College in Katangi area, Yatta sub-county of Machakos is now complete.
The construction of the twin workshops, classrooms and offices commenced in June 2018 and was being constructed by the government of Kenya, under the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the area National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
A recent inspection tour to the Institute by the Machakos County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC) established that the construction work already done at the institution was at 99 per cent completion.
Speaking during the meeting, Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind Principal Dr. Nduku Mutua pointed out that the contractor, Bernata Holdings Limited was only awaiting for the payment of a balance of Sh24.8 million so that he can issue the final certificate of completion and hand over the institution.
“The institution is almost complete and only the fixing of lighting appliances and sockets is remaining and the contractor is expected to complete the works any time,” said Dr. Mutua.
She said that the construction of the institution that was supposed to have been completed by January 2020 was delayed owing to the outbreak of Covid-19 and will now have its first admissions come January 2022.
Dr. Mutua lauded the government for the initiative saying that the institution will use smart learning hence a reliable source of energy like solar panels and a noise free generator will come in handy.
She said that once a Principal is recruited, s/he will recruit the right trainers for courses which the institution will be offering like craft, artisan courses, and garment-making.
Machakos County Commissioner. Mr. John Ondego who chairs the committee promised to fast track the disbursement of the balance by the government in addition to ensuring that Kenya Power connects electricity to the institution within the shortest time possible.
Ondego lauded the contractor for the good job urging him to do minor repairs on the ceiling boards and ensure that the electrical appliances are well fixed.
He called on the mentor institution, the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind to ensure that a qualified principal is recruited on an interim basis in a concerted effort to ensure that the first intake does not delay any further.
An Assistant Director at the Presidential Delivery Unit, Ms. Georgina Njoroge lauded the great work done by the contractor in completing the work within the stipulated time despite the challenges.
Ms. Njoroge however called on the County Director in-charge of TVETS in the region, Mr. George Wamae to quick-start the deployment of a principal, trainers in addition to the placement of students to the institution ahead of the first intake.
She further lauded the area Member of Parliament Mr. Charles Kilonzo for the work done by the CDF in giving out the land, drilling a borehole outside institution for use by both the institution and the residents, doing the outside landscaping, laying of paving blocks, pavements in addition to constructing pit latrines at a cost of Sh10 million.
Mr. Wamae assured the committee that the government is in the process of processing the payment of the contractor where he appreciated the area MP and CDF committee for the good job well done.
Mr. Wamae further disclosed that the government is in the process of securing various equipment for the institution from China, which are expected to arrive in the country by December this year.
Others in attendance were the area Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Lewa, Bernata Holdings Contractor, Mr. Peter Nzioki, area NG-CDF Chair Samuel Makasi among other senior government officials.
TVET institutions offer various certificates, diploma and craftsmanship training to students in Kenya with flexible entry and fee requirements for students wishing to study in these institutes.
The institutions are registered, accredited and regulated by the TVET Authority which is a corporate agency established under the TVET Act to regulate and coordinate training in the country through licencing, registration and accreditation of programmes, institutions and trainers.
To get a place at a TVET institution, one has to apply via the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement. The entry requirement for all diploma courses is grade C and above; D (plain) and above for certificate while other course categories are open.
By Rachael Kilonzo
