MP Njeri Maina calls for tools to help TVET graduates start businesses

Maina said graduation should not mark the end of a student's journey, arguing that young people need practical support to apply the skills acquired in college and earn a livelihood.

Speaking during a graduation ceremony for students sponsored through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) at Gichugu TVET in Kirinyaga County on Thursday, Maina said she would seek partnerships with organisations to provide graduates with the equipment needed to begin working immediately after training.

“We would like to have an arrangement where when these students graduate, they are given tools so that they can go and start their work,” she said.

Maina said the programme followed discussions she held with TVET principals in Kirinyaga in 2024 on ways of helping young people acquire technical skills despite financial constraints.

She said the first cohort of students supported through the programme at Gichugu TVET was now graduating, describing the milestone as evidence of the value of investing in technical education.

Maina called for partnerships with organisations including KCB Foundation and Family Bank Foundation to expand support for TVET students and graduates.

She said the programme should also be extended to students in other TVET institutions across the county, including those in Ndia, Mwea and Kirinyaga Central.

The legislator urged the graduates to continue upgrading their skills and consider learning foreign languages such as German and French to broaden their employment opportunities.

She also encouraged them to take pride in their technical qualifications and avoid viewing university education as the only measure of success.

“You should not look down on yourself because you did not go to the University of Nairobi or another university. You have graduated from a TVET institution and you should see yourself as a person of value,” she said.

Several beneficiaries of the NGAAF sponsorship were recognised after attaining First Class results.

Maina said their performance demonstrated what young people could achieve when given access to education and technical training.

TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria congratulated the graduates and commended their trainers, panel members and parents for supporting them through their studies.

“Congratulations to our graduates. Congratulations. I am really proud of you. I also congratulate the trainers, the panel and especially the parents and the graduates,” Muoria said.

Muoria said parents who enrolled their children in TVET institutions were investing in their future, adding that the graduates should view completion of their training as the beginning of their professional journey.

She urged them to apply the skills they had acquired as they entered the world of work and explored opportunities for self-employment.

The ceremony was attended by Gichugu TVET Principal Joseph Kimemia, Kirinyaga MP Robert Githinji and other officials.

Maina also called for stronger action against illicit alcohol in Kirinyaga, urging national and county government agencies to coordinate efforts to curb the sale of illicit brews.

She called on national administration officials to intensify enforcement, while urging the Kenya Bureau of Standards to strengthen action against counterfeit alcohol and the county government to ensure licensing regulations are properly enforced.

Maina said leaders should focus on delivering services and creating opportunities that improve the livelihoods of residents.

For the graduates, she said, the ultimate measure of their training would be their ability to secure employment, start businesses and build sustainable livelihoods.