Questions

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are designed to equip youth with practical skills for employment and national development. However, a recent study has exposed widespread corruption and nepotism within these institutions, threatening both the quality of education and the future of Kenya’s workforce.


Key Findings from the Study

• Widespread Mismanagement: The study found that numerous TVET colleges have been plagued by mismanagement, maladministration, theft, and outright corruption. In one parliamentary report, 11 out of 50 colleges were flagged for inappropriate activities, including nepotism and racism, during 2018 and 2019.
• Nepotism in Appointments: Hiring and promotion practices often favor relatives or individuals with political or personal connections, rather than merit. This has led to the appointment of underqualified staff and a lack of diversity in academic and administrative positions.
• Financial Irregularities: Billions of shillings allocated to TVETs remain unaccounted for, with audits revealing missing documentation, unsupported expenditures, and irregular procurement deals. In 2024 alone, over Kshs 4.2 billion could not be traced in audits involving TVET institutions.
• Bribery and Extortion: Reports indicate that some staff demand bribes for admissions, grades, or certifications, further eroding the integrity of these institutions.
• Procurement Corruption: Equipment procurement and construction contracts are frequently marred by irregularities, inflated costs, and lack of transparency, resulting in stalled projects and wasted resources.

The Impact on Students and Society​

• Reduced Quality of Education: Nepotism and corruption lead to the hiring of less qualified trainers, outdated curricula, and poorly maintained facilities, leaving graduates ill-prepared for the job market.
• Loss of Public Trust: These practices undermine confidence in TVET institutions, making it harder for graduates to secure employment and for colleges to attract investment.
• Wasted Resources: Funds meant for improving training facilities, equipment, and student support are often diverted or misused, stalling development and innovation.
• Increased Inequality: Favoritism and bribery limit opportunities for deserving students and staff, perpetuating social and economic disparities.

Table: Forms of Corruption and Their Effects​

The Way Forward​

• Enforce Transparency: Strict audits, transparent hiring, and procurement processes are essential.
• Promote Meritocracy: Appointments and promotions should be based on qualifications and performance, not personal connections.
• Empower Whistleblowers: Create safe channels for reporting corruption without fear of retaliation.
• Strengthen Oversight: Independent oversight bodies and regular reviews can help curb malpractice and restore public trust.

Conclusion​

Corruption and nepotism in TVET colleges are not just administrative issues—they have real consequences for students, employers, and the nation’s development. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring that TVET fulfills its promise of empowering youth and driving Kenya’s economic growth

James Waithaka, the Founder and CEO of OpenTvet, was deeply inspired by his extensive experience as a technical trainer and his commitment to transforming Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. His motivation to establish OpenTvet arose from firsthand awareness of the challenges facing TVET in Kenya, including limited access to quality training, outdated teaching methods, and a significant mismatch between the skills taught and the evolving demands of the job market.

Having been involved in Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) long before it became mainstream, Waithaka recognized the urgent need for a digital transformation in TVET to make vocational education more accessible, efficient, and aligned with industry needs. He envisioned leveraging technology to break down geographical and infrastructural barriers, enabling more youth across Kenya—and eventually Africa—to acquire practical, market-relevant skills.

OpenTvet was thus founded as a digital platform to modernize TVET delivery by providing open, flexible, and scalable learning solutions. Waithaka’s vision was to create the largest open college platform in Kenya that would empower learners with competency-based training accessible anytime and anywhere, addressing the high youth unemployment and skills gap in the country.

His inspiration also stems from a broader ambition to digitally revolutionize TVET across Africa, making quality vocational education inclusive and responsive to the continent’s economic development needs. This aligns with his passion for education and technology, as well as his desire to contribute to Kenya’s socio-economic transformation by equipping the youth with employable skills through innovative digital means.

In summary, James Waithaka’s founding of OpenTvet was driven by his deep technical training background, his commitment to competency-based education, and his vision to harness technology to democratize and modernize TVET in Kenya and Africa, thus empowering youth and bridging the skills gap in a rapidly changing job market.