Edukans Kenya has partnered with Kisumu National Polytechnic to revolutionise technical and vocational training in Kenya’s textile and garment sector.
The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will guide the collaboration under the “Wear the Green Future (WtGF)” project—an initiative designed to embed sustainability and circular economy principles into TVET courses specifically tailored to the textile and garment industry, funded by the National Postcode Lottery, Netherlands.
Central to the partnership is the co-development of a Green Skills Module, which will equip 2,300 young people with technical and entrepreneurial skills in sustainable textile and fashion design, eco-conscious production, waste reduction, and circular business models.
This initiative directly addresses growing environmental concerns within the sector and aligns with global shifts toward more ethical and responsible fashion production.
“This MoU is a welcome partnership that will pave the way for enhanced quality education and decent work to spur economic growth,” said Catherine Kelonye, Chief Principal of The Kisumu National Polytechnic.
By integrating sustainability and circularity into existing textile and garment TVET programs, the collaboration will not only enhance the relevance and quality of training but also position graduates as changemakers ready to innovate and lead in a transitioning industry.
The partnership seeks to respond to the urgent demand for green skills in a sector known for high waste and environmental impact.
Through this effort, Edukans and the Kisumu National Polytechnic aim to cultivate a workforce that is both technically proficient and environmentally conscious, supporting Kenya’s broader goals for green job creation, climate action, and sustainable industrial development.
“This MoU is a new dawn ushering sustainability and circularity in the textile and fashion industry to boost employability in the country, providing skills suitable to the job market,” noted Mary Mugo, Country Director of Edukans Kenya.
As part of the larger Wear the Green Future initiative—being rolled out in both Kenya and Ethiopia—the project will reach a total of 4,600 youth, catalysing systemic change in how fashion and textiles are taught and practised.
This strategic collaboration marks a significant step toward rethinking vocational training to meet the future demands of the textile and garment sector, while empowering youth to lead the way in building a greener, more circular economy.
