Senators Praise Nakuru’s Investment In ECDE, Vocational Training

By Suleiman Mbatiah

The Senate Standing Committee on Education has praised Nakuru County for expanding investment in early childhood education and vocational training, citing improvements in infrastructure, school feeding programmes and technical skills development during an oversight visit across the county.

The committee, chaired by Senator Betty Montet, conducted an assessment of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and Vocational Training Centre (VTC) programmes in the county, where members reviewed progress in learner support, infrastructure and training capacity.

Other senators in the delegation included Vice Chairperson Professor Margaret Kamar of Uasin Gishu, Agnes Kavindu of Machakos, Ole Seki of Kajiado, Johnes Mwaruma of Taita Taveta and John Kinyua of Laikipia.

The delegation toured various ECDE centres and vocational institutions where Montet said Nakuru County had demonstrated strong commitment to foundational learning and youth empowerment through sustained education investments.

“We are impressed by the county’s deliberate investment in ECDE infrastructure, school feeding programmes and vocational training. What we have seen reflects a serious commitment to nurturing learners from early childhood and equipping youth with practical skills for the future,” said Montet.

At Nakuru Vocational Training Centre in Bondeni, senators praised the institution’s rapid growth, high enrolment and expanding training capacity. The institution currently hosts 603 trainees drawn from different parts of the county.

The committee also recommended the adoption of modern classroom age-appropriate seating arrangements for ECDE learners, including the use of hexagonal tables to improve classroom interaction, learner engagement and overall teaching outcomes.

County Education Executive Zippy Wambui said the county government remained focused on improving access to quality education through expanded infrastructure and learner support initiatives.

“Our goal is to ensure every child in Nakuru accesses a safe, modern and supportive learning environment while our youth acquire employable technical skills that can transform their livelihoods,” said Wambui.

The senators further lauded Nakuru County’s school feeding initiative, noting that the programme aligns with the national pre-primary policy that encourages provision of a mid-morning meal for ECDE learners.

Governor Susan Kihika has repeatedly highlighted education and vocational training as key pillars of her administration’s development agenda and that the devolved unit is investing heavily in ECDE infrastructure, vocational training centres and youth empowerment initiatives.

The county administration has also expanded the “Lishe Na Mama” school feeding programme targeting ECDE learners across public centres, an initiative the governor says is aimed at improving learner retention, concentration and overall educational outcomes.

On vocational education, Governor Kihika’s administration is working to strengthen partnerships between vocational institutions and private industry to equip trainees with hands-on technical skills that match labour market demands.

Her administration has also expanded education funding through a bursary programme that allocated Sh440 million in the first tranche of the 2025/2026 financial year, targeting more than 46,000 needy students across the county.

The county has further committed annual capitation funding of Sh30,000 per trainee in vocational training centres, alongside infrastructure upgrades, equipment support and staffing improvements aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education.