Nakuru Expands ECDE, Vocational Training In Major Education Boost

By Suleiman Mbatiah

The County Government of Nakuru has ramped up investment in early childhood and vocational education, expanding infrastructure, boosting enrolment, and hiring hundreds of teachers in a broad push to strengthen foundational learning and skills development.

County data shows 1,073 public ECDE centres are now operational, supported by sustained infrastructure expansion, classroom resourcing, and feeding programmes that have collectively raised enrolment from 58,000 to 66,000 learners.

Official reports also show that 230 new ECDE classrooms and 82 sanitation facilities have been constructed, alongside equipping 311 classrooms and building 12 kitchens to support school feeding and improve learning conditions across the county.

Governor Susan Kihika said the reforms are designed to ensure foundational education systems can sustain long term growth, noting that investments are focused on both access and quality improvements across all public ECDE centres.

“We are deliberately strengthening early learning because it forms the base upon which all other education levels depend, and we cannot afford to compromise at this critical stage,” Kihika said while issuing bursary in Menengai East Ward.

Kihika’s adminisstration has increased its bursary allocation to Kshs 447 million for the 2025/2026 financial year, with Kshs 284.4 million already released to more than 57,000 learners in a major push to expand access to education and reduce dropout rates.

The county has also expanded its teaching workforce, employing 192 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms while confirming 306 others, alongside continuous annual training for more than 3,000 teachers under the competency based curriculum.

Instructional materials valued at Kshs 17 million have been distributed to ECDE centres, with education officials indicating that improved access to learning resources is already contributing to better classroom engagement and early literacy outcomes.

In vocational training, enrolment has more than tripled from 2,000 to 6,850 trainees following expansion of training infrastructure, increased capitation funding, and the introduction of modernised programmes aligned with labour market demands.

The county has disbursed over Kshs 480 million in capitation grants and invested Kshs 67 million in tools and equipment across more than 30 training centres, while constructing new workshops and dormitories worth over Kshs 120 million.

“We are building a skills driven economy by equipping young people with practical competencies that can translate into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within and beyond Nakuru,” Kihika added.

Authorities confirmed that vocational training centres have increased from 33 to 43, with over 4,000 students graduating in 2024 and more than 3,000 expected to complete their courses by November 2026.

The county has also recruited 57 vocational instructors and initiated hiring of 66 more, while integrating digital learning systems and strengthening partnerships with international organisations to align training programmes with evolving industry requirements.