TVET graduates find opportunity through Kapsuswa affordable housing project

The project, which is 98.8 per cent complete, is set to deliver affordable housing while advancing key goals of the Government’s Affordable Housing Programme, including job creation, support for local enterprises and economic growth.

For Florence Auma Odhiambo, a Diploma graduate in Electrical Engineering from Kisii Polytechnic, the project has provided an opportunity to apply her skills and secure more stable employment in the construction sector.

Florence is responsible for electrical works at the site, including wiring buildings, installing switches and completing interior electrical installations.

She credits the hands-on training and industrial attachment she received during her diploma course for preparing her for the demands of the construction industry.

“During my first and second years in college, we went for industrial attachment where I gained practical experience in electrical installation, including wiring buildings and fitting electrical fixtures. That exposure prepared me for the job,” she says.

Before joining the Kapsuswa project, Florence relied on short-term contracts with different contractors, often facing periods without work whenever projects ended.

“Sometimes you finish one project and stay at home for three weeks or even a month waiting for another opportunity. Since joining this project, I have enjoyed more stable employment, and it has greatly improved my life,” she says.

Having worked in the construction industry for four years since graduating, Florence says many TVET graduates have the skills needed in the labour market but often miss opportunities by failing to actively seek employment.

“Jobs will not come looking for you. Even if a project is happening in your own village, you must take the initiative to seek employment. If you have the skills, be proactive and present yourself,” she advises.

Her experience highlights the role of TVET in addressing youth unemployment by equipping learners with practical skills required in industries such as construction, manufacturing and engineering.

Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has described TVET as a critical driver of Kenya’s industrial growth, with the Government seeking to expand enrolment in technical institutions to two million learners as part of efforts to bridge the skills gap.

The Affordable Housing Programme is similarly designed to address the country’s housing shortage while creating employment opportunities across the construction value chain.

Besides providing homes for low- and middle-income households, the programme supports jobs for artisans, technicians, engineers, transport operators, manufacturers and suppliers of construction materials.

At Kapsuswa, the benefits are already visible, with the project providing employment for hundreds of workers during construction while enabling TVET graduates to gain practical experience and build careers.

The remaining works, including installation of fire hydrants, site clearance, road marking and painting of the boundary wall, are expected to be completed before the project is handed over.

As it approaches completion, the Kapsuswa Affordable Housing Project demonstrates how public investment can simultaneously expand access to affordable housing and create pathways to employment for Kenya’s skilled workforce.