President William Ruto on Tuesday, March 26, confirmed that Kenya had received Ksh13 billion from China to help equip Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) within the country.
While celebrating 100 years of TVETs in Kenya at Nyeri National Polytechnic, the President noted that the institutions play a key role in equipping students with practical skills needed in the job market.
He noted that the funds from China would be utilised to ensure that TVETs in Kenya are furnished to allow them to become even more competitive.
"On my way, I received news from my friends in China that we have received Ksh13 billion to equip 70 of our TVETs. It is a coincidence that we have additional equipment to equip our TVETs. If education is the key, TVETs are the master key," he stated.
"I'm very proud today we have changed the perception of TVETs. Last year up to 9,000 students chose not to attend universities but to come to TVETs because it has been proven that it presents an opportunity for practical skills."
The Head of State expressed confidence that more students would join TVET, noting that the figure grew from 40,000 to the current 350,000.
He also praised a TVET student for earning a hefty amount through digital online jobs.
"Mike Mathenge has told me how he has made Ksh500,000 working online. I am talking about someone working in Nyeri at a TVET," he noted.
" Every ward in Kenya must have an ICT hub. We will equip them and provide computer apparatus to make sure we utilise the digital expertise from the country to drive our economy."
Additionally, he dismissed a series of complaints from bar owners who lamented that they could not operate businesses owing to the orders by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki revoking licences belonging to manufacturers of second-generation liquor.
"We are intentional with those who want to corrupt our young people with drugs, and illicit brew and have put down our foot that it cannot be business as usual. We can't have a drinking nation but a working nation," Ruto warned.
"Those who are telling us that we have closed their bars and they're unhappy, surely, the damage we have witnessed from the youth involved in addiction. That is unacceptable!"
