By Andanje Wakhungu
Leaders in Kakamega County led by Kakamega Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale have embarked on sensitizing parents to enrol their children into the newly elevated Shamberere National Polytechnic. Senator Khalwale hailed the national government for upgrading the institution’s status saying it will transform the education sector in the region.
The senator acknowledged the role the Principal Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala played in elevating the institution the institution and called on the locals to make good use of the technical institution by enrolling their children starting in January 2024.
“This is a huge milestone in Malava Sub County; this institution has come with a bag of goodies as businesses will thrive through the sale of food stuffs, accommodation, and other related services. Let our people also make sure their children who are at home and have completed both Standard 8 and Form 4 and are unable to join universities to come here for the technical training that is currently in demand across the country.”
Khalwale at the same time criticised a section of leaders from neighbouring counties who are complaining that Kakamega County is home to two national polytechnics to desist as the county is home to 2.6 million people.
He told them off, “Keep on complaining; we are pushing for the elevation of one of the technical institutions to become a university in the near future; we have the numbers.”.
Malava MP Malulu Injendi said the institution has awakened from its initial slumber that had seen enrolments plummet. “I want to state that the new principal has come on board with vast experience, and with only three months in office, the institution has been granted a national charter.
Let us partner with other stakeholders to make good use of this college. I also wish to thank PS. Tvet Esther Mworia for pushing for the elevation of this institution along with sending on board 12 trainers starting January next year to offer various technical skills to the trainees.
The Principal Secretary State Department of Higher Education Dr. Beatrice Inyangala said the new status of the polytechnic was of great importance to the community and sub-county as a whole, as it would stimulate development within.
“Look at the way Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has transformed Kakamega Town into an economic hub, we are going to continue supporting the institution to grow and instil knowledge in our children.
Inayangala challenged parents to consider taking their children to technical training, as the job market for those with technical skills was lucrative and available.
The country is moving towards embracing industrial parks, and those with technical training will have an upper hand as far as employment is concerned, Shamberere happens to be the best place for one to train as it has state-of-the-art machines in the engineering department to offer skills to our trainees.”
The Principal of Shamberere Mr Elisha Nyamu, said that as a college, they had initiated several income-generating projects within the school to be able to serve the expected population of 10,000 students.
“Besides the school purchasing more land for expansion, we have also invested in dairy, beekeeping, fish farming, and various crop farming within the institution.
