Principal Secretary in the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SD-TVET), Esther Muoria speaking during the first graduation ceremony at Katine Technical Training Institute in Tala, Matungulu Sub-County on February 27, 2026. Photo by Virginia Siebella. 
By Virginia Siebella.
The government’s deepening financial strain has left the National Treasury without adequate resources to fund development and infrastructure projects, forcing learning institutions to rethink expansion strategies.
Against this backdrop, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SD-TVET), Esther Muoria, has challenged TVET principals across the country to tap into local resources and internal expertise to sustain growth.
Speaking during the first graduation ceremony at Katine Technical Training Institute in Tala, Matungulu Sub-County, Muoria acknowledged the mounting financial pressure facing both the government and trainees.
“We are operating in a constrained fiscal environment,” she said. “While the ministry remains committed to expanding and modernising our institutions, the current reality requires us to embrace cost-effective, locally driven solutions.”
Muoria urged institutions to benchmark with innovative models such as Kaimosi Friends National Polytechnic and Chuka Technical and Vocational College, where administrators have leveraged internal skills and creativity to put up infrastructure at significantly reduced costs.
“These institutions have demonstrated that with ingenuity and proper utilisation of in-house capacity, development is still possible even when Treasury allocations are limited,” she noted.
The PS further observed that institutions aspiring to attain National Polytechnic status face steep requirements, including curriculum development, accreditation standards and expanded infrastructure. She revealed that several newly promoted technical institutes are struggling to meet the benchmarks.
“Promotion comes with responsibility. Institutions must ensure they align with curriculum and accreditation standards while remaining realistic about available resources,” she said, calling for pragmatic and sustainable growth strategies.
Muoria’s remarks echo sentiments previously expressed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who has emphasised the need for government policies to translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
“Government programmes must not remain in offices. They must be visible and felt by the people,” Kindiki has stated in recent public addresses.
At the colourful ceremony, where Muoria served as chief guest, more than 1,200 graduands were awarded diplomas and certificates in diverse disciplines. The graduates trained in fields including engineering, ICT, hospitality, beauty therapy, mechanical and automotive engineering, electrical wiring, plumbing, civil construction, welding, agriculture, environmental studies and business studies.
The event marked a significant milestone for the institution even as the sector navigates one of its toughest financial periods, with leaders now banking on innovation and self-reliance to drive the next phase of growth.
