Busia County Department of Education & Vocational Training

06/05/2026

25/04/2026

The Department of Education and Industrial Skills Development, in partnership with Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan in Kenya) and KEFEADO, on 24th April, 2026 hosted a successful KBEST Community Townhall Forum in Busia, bringing together stakeholders to focus on one priority: increasing enrollment of young women and girls in vocational training.

The discussions were practical and solution-driven.

Key priorities identified include:
• Investment in safe hostels, modern equipment, ICT labs, and reliable water and electricity
• Introduction of scholarships, subsidized training, and starter toolkits for graduates
• Establishment of childcare support to enable young mothers to access training
• Strengthening industry linkages for apprenticeships, jobs, and enterprise development
• Addressing gender imbalance by increasing female participation in technical trades such as electrical, plumbing, and welding

While female enrollment in our VTCs stands at about 48 percent, most are concentrated in low-income courses. The department is now focused on deliberate interventions to ensure more young women transition into high-income technical fields.

We also commit to:
• Setting clear female enrollment targets per trade
• Improving training quality through recruitment of additional instructors
• Enhancing infrastructure and completing stalled projects
• Strengthening partnerships with industry and development partners

Vocational training remains a key driver of economic empowerment in Busia County. We call upon parents, guardians, and the community to support and encourage young people, especially girls, to enroll in VTCs.

Together, we can build a skilled, inclusive, and economically empowered generation. Dhamira Moja CBO Jamal Mohamed BUSIA County GovernmentBusia County Universities and Colleges Students Association RasBashir Were Wa Busia Emuria Fm David Ojiambo Katindi Douglas Ejakait Okiring SMART Culture KENYA CBO Sisikwa Foundation Moh Missy Dr. Paul Otuoma Mulembe Fm Busia Cushy Palace Airbnb Beatrice N. Nakholi Hon.Fredrick Wafula Odilo_Speaker Of The County Assembly Of Busia County Busia Daily Busia Dental Solutions Busia Students Association

23/04/2026

COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF BUSIA PARTNERS WITH KCB FOUNDATION TO TRANSFORM YOUTH LIVELIHOODS THROUGH 2JIAJIRI PROGRAM
Mr. Esau Ochakala, the County Chief Officer for Education and Industrial Skills Development hosts beneficiaries as program nears graduation milestone
The County Department of Education and Industrial Skills Development convened a consultative meeting with beneficiaries of the KCB Foundation 2jiajiri Programme at the Chief Officer's office this week, marking a significant step toward the upcoming graduation of Cohort 2 trainees and reinforcing the county's commitment to youth empowerment through skills development.
The 2jiajiri Program, an enterprise development and wealth creation initiative by the KCB Foundation, is designed to enhance employability among young people through vocational skills training, enterprise development, and market linkage support. Under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding signed between the County Government of Busia and the KCB Foundation, targeting 500 youth from across the county for each cohort training cycle in various trades.
The current cohort has successfully completed six months of intensive institutional training, sat the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Grade 3 examinations, and concluded a three-month industrial attachment designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world workplace demands.
During the engagement, beneficiaries expressed profound appreciation for the opportunity, noting that the programme has already transformed their economic circumstances. All confirmed they are currently engaged in meaningful, income-generating activities, a stark contrast to their situation prior to enrolling. Selected from a competitive pool of over 3,000 applicants, the trainees urged the department to continue providing mentorship as they transition fully into the world of work.
The Chief Officer welcomed their feedback and commended their gratitude and discipline, emphasizing that character and commitment were key criteria in their selection. He acknowledged the operational challenges encountered during implementation but affirmed that the programme has progressed satisfactorily overall.
Key resolutions from the meeting include:
•Graduation Preparations: The Chief Officer confirmed he is expediting the release of the county's financial obligations to finalize arrangements for the graduation ceremony.
•Toolkit Distribution: A technical committee will be constituted to oversee the transparent, merit-based selection of beneficiaries to receive starter toolkits. Under the MoU, 30 percent of trainees will be kitted with the KCB Foundation and the County Government each contributing 15 percent. Selection criteria will prioritize academic performance and demonstrated good conduct during training.
•Post-Training Enterprise Support: Beneficiaries were encouraged to form collective enterprise groups and leverage funding windows available through the County Departments of Trade, Investment, Industrialization, Cooperatives and SMEs, and Youth, Sports, Tourism, Culture, Social Protection, Gender Affairs, and Creative Arts.
The Chief Officer challenged the graduates-to-be to maintain discipline, scale their enterprises, and ultimately create employment opportunities for other youth in the county, transforming beneficiaries into employers.
The meeting was also attended by the Director of Vocational Training, the Deputy Director, and other departmental officers.
The BUSIA County Government under H.E Dr. Paul Otuoma remains committed to aligning vocational training with national development frameworks, including Kenya Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, by equipping youth with market-relevant skills and linking them to sustainable livelihood opportunities. Dhamira Moja CBO Busia Cushy Palace AirbnbBusia County Universities and Colleges Students Association Emuria Fm Mulembe Fm Jamal Mohamed Beatrice N. Nakholi

10/04/2026

Historic Fundraiser Boosts Igara ADC VTC Expansion Drive

Busia County witnessed a landmark moment today as Igara ADC Vocational Training Centre (VTC) held a historic fundraiser to support the expansion of its land. Founded in 2011 by the Africa Devine Church and later handed over to the county government, the institution has become a pillar of skills development in the region.

The event was graced by Busia County leadership, with Governor Paul Otuoma represented by CECM Peter Odima, who delivered a contribution of KSh 200,000. He was joined by Speaker of the County Assembly Hon. Wafula Odillo and other distinguished guests, underscoring the county’s commitment to strengthening vocational training.

In total, the fundraiser raised KSh 941,000, a significant step toward securing additional land for the centre’s expansion. Organizers hailed the achievement as a testament to community solidarity and the growing recognition of vocational training as a driver of youth empowerment and economic growth.

This milestone sets the stage for Igara ADC VTC to broaden its impact, offering more opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills and contribute to Busia’s development agenda.

27/03/2026

We stand firmly behind the Disability Inclusion Bill 2026. For us, inclusion in education is non‑negotiable, every learner deserves equal access to quality learning, skills, and opportunities.

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day.

"Busia County commits to establishing functional childcare centres at Busia Vocational Training Centre and Namasali Vocational Training Centre by the end of FY 2025–2026. This initiative will enable teenage mothers and young women to enroll, attend regularly, and complete their skills training without interruption.

The County will integrate childcare services into TVET student welfare systems, align funding within the annual budget cycle, and collaborate with partners to ensure safe, accessible, and sustainable facilities. This commitment advances justice in education and promotes shared prosperity by ensuring that motherhood does not limit a young woman’s pathway to skills development, decent work, and economic independence."

~ Leonard Opollo, County Director Vocational Training, Busia County Department of Education & Vocational Training

Happy International Women’s Day!

13/02/2026

The CECM Education and Industrial Skills Development Hon. Beatrice N. Nakholi led the department in engaging with the County Assembly’s Public Investments and Accounts Committee (PIAC), chaired by Hon. Dr. Boniface Erute.
During the session, the Department presented supporting documentation and provided clarification on queries raised in the Auditor-General’s Report for the Financial Year 2024/2025. The CECM was accompanied by the Directors and Departmental Accountant

09/02/2026

COMMITTEE LAUDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR OVER 90 PER CENT DELIVERY OF ECDE CLASSROOMS

The County Assembly Committee on Education and Vocational Training has lauded the Department of Education and Industrial Skills Development for delivering over 90 per cent of the targeted Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms across the county.

The commendation was made today during a consultative meeting between the Education, ECDE and Vocational Training Committee and the Department, held to assess the effectiveness of the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI).

The Department, led by CECM Hon. Beatrice Nakholi, presented a status report on the construction of ECDE classrooms, outlining those completed and those at the final stages of completion. Out of the planned 97 modern ECDE classrooms, 90 have been fully completed, with arrangements underway for their commissioning.

The Committee, chaired by Hon. Agnes Nangame, praised the Department for the impressive progress and urged it to fast-track the completion and commissioning of the remaining classrooms to enable children to start benefiting from these critical foundational learning facilities. The Committee further resolved to conduct site visits to verify the completion status of the classrooms.

Also present from the Department were Mr. Leonard Opollo, Director Vocational Training; Dr. Douglas Barasa, Director ECDE; and Rev. Vincent Sango, Deputy Director ECDE.

Committee members present included Hon. Johnstone Makabwa, Hon. Mercy Wanyonyi, and Hon. David Parapara.

04/02/2026

DEFENDING THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS: BUSIA TAKES THE LEAD IN SENATE CONSULTATIONS

Today, our CECM for Education and Industrial Skills Development, Hon. Beatrice N. Nakholi, joined the Council of Governors (CoG) at Bunge Towers for a critical consultative meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on Education.

Representing the interests of our teachers and children, Hon. Nakholi who also chairs the CEC Education Caucus, together with the Chair of the ECDE Directors Caucus, accompanied H.E. Dr. Eric Mutai (Chair, CoG Education Committee) to address proposed changes by the Ministry of Education.

Core Issues Under Discussion:
-Proposed merger of the Diploma in Primary Education and the Diploma in ECDE
-Discontinuation of the Upgrading Diploma in ECDE curriculum

Our Stand:
ECDE is a specialized field. Any policy change must safeguard the unique professional identity of pre-school teachers and ensure that the quality of foundational learning for our children is not diluted. We are advocating for reforms that support, not hinder the career growth of our educators.

Stakeholders in Unity:
We were joined by the Early Childhood Professional Association of Kenya (ECPAK), preschool teacher unions, and KECEPTIA, ensuring a unified voice for the sector.

Next Steps:
The conversation continues! A high-level follow-up meeting is scheduled for Tuesday next week with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Principal Secretary, and senior Ministry officials to chart a sustainable path forward.

Busia County remains steadfast in championing quality early childhood education and the welfare of our education and industrial skills workforce.