Sh52m Kirinyaga TVC to open doors next month

The Sh52 million Gichugu Technical and Vocational College in Kirinyaga county is set to open its doors to learners next month.

Other than imparting life skills to the youth, leaders and residents are upbeat the TVC, in Kabare, will greatly boost the economy.

Gichugu constituency NG-CDF chairman Geoffrey Kariuki said already, residents and investors have started building hostels to house the big number of learners expected at the institution on August 19.

“It has created many jobs where people worked as casual workers and skilled technicians during its construction,” he said.

“When it is up and running, it will see youth employed as security guards and messengers among others who do not require high technical skills.”

He expressed optimism that the institution will also help increase the value of land in the area as more hostels, shops and eateries come up.

Areas to be imparted positively by the learning institution include Kiamutugu, Kianyaga, Kamugunda towns and other surrounding shopping centres that neighbour Kiambatha village.

Kariuki said NG-CDF factored in Sh12 million while the Ministry of Education put Sh40 million into the project.

He said the two storey building was progressing at a slow pace before they took over office in 2022.

The constituency is represented  by MP Githinji Gichimu.

Land for the institution was hived from the neighbouring Kiambatha Primary School ground.

The TVC principal Joseph Kimemia said institution's construction is in line with the government’s plan to have at least a TVET in every constituency.

Already, the TVC has received learning equipment; instructors have been posted, while in only one month since its opening went public, it has sent admission letters to over 500 people who have shown interest in enrolling.

“Currently, we are doing registration for the intake. The college has a capacity of 3,000 learners and has a variety of courses which will be on offer. But we shall be a centre of excellence for mechanical engineering,” he said.

It offers diplomas and certificates in technical courses.

Kimemia said the opening of the institution means youth from this area will not need to travel long distances to access education. 

It will also enhance integration as learners are expected to come from various parts of the country and from diverse ethnicities.

The government introduced public private partnership in TVET education where locals and investors build hostels while the government does the training.

This is a departure from the earlier norm where learners were housed in the learning institutions.

A resident Johnson Mbogo, lauded the government for building the institutions saying the community has benefited greatly from jobs and enhanced business opportunities.

“It will entice many young people from these areas to join the TVC and with the skills, they will be occupied and therefore keep off of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse," he said.

Edward Kaburi said he was happy that a TVC has finally been established in the area, saying before, their children had to travel to other areas to learn.