Vocational Training Centres managers in Vihiga have closed down all the centres over alleged neglect by the county government.
In a letter to Governor Wilber Ottichilo dated July 4, they said managing the institutions is no longer tenable.
They cited unrealistic budget cuts, lack of training tools, equipment and instructional materials and under-capitation of the trainees as reasons for the closure of all the 34 VTCs in the county.
The managers want the county government to restore the allocation for vocational training to the Sh138 million as it was in 2021-22 as opposed to the Sh20 million allocated to the department in the current budget.
They also want the county government to immediately release Sh61 million arrears for vocational training institutions for the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years.
They said the Sh15,000 annual capitation per trainee, set during former President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure, should be reviewed upwards taking into account the dynamics of the economy, inflation and high cost of living.
“The county has allocated vocational training Sh20 million in its 2025-26 budget. This implies only 1,333 trainees can benefit from the capitation in the 34 VTCs in accordance to the capitation policy,” the letter reads.
“For the above prevailing circumstances, managers in consultation with BoG chairpersons have unanimously decided to indefinitely close the institutions pending effective resolution of the existing crises.”
Reached for comment, county director of communications Frank Matika said the county government has been and continues to fund VTCs fully.
He said the government has not cut budgetary allocations as claimed by the managers.
Matika said the county allocated Sh60 million for vocational training and supplemented with another Sh55 million in 2022-23.
He said the county allocated Sh30 million for the department in 2023-24 and another Sh100 million through supplementary budget, bringing the total allocation to Sh130 million.
“We allocated Sh20 million this current financial year because of the pressure to employ medics and convert ECDE teachers to permanent and pensionable terms. However, the deficit will be addressed through the first supplementary budget,” Matika said.
“It’s not true that we’re not funding CTCs. The only challenge has been delayed disbursements by the exchequer, which is beyond our control.”
He said the issue of pending bills should not arise as the county only owes the VTCs Sh5 million for the last financial year.
“The question should be where the money we allocate goes to. We have continued to fund the institutions and even gone further to specialise and acquire the requisite tools and equipment,” he said.
Senator Godfrey Osotsi urged the county government to urgently address the worsening state of Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in the county.
He said it was unfortunate that VTCs managers closed the institutions last week over alleged neglect.
“The closure of Vihiga TVET colleges denies the youths a lifeline to skills, employment and dignity. The youths are our children and must be respected by granting them their rights," Osotsi said.
The senator said investments in youth training are essential for their long-term social and economic development.
Osotsi said he, together with other senators, have pushed for increased allocation to counties through the Senate and urged the county government to spend the funds on the education, health and water sectors.
