Ruto presides over first-ever RPL graduation

President William Ruto hosted the inaugural Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) graduation ceremony at State House in Nairobi on Thursday. This momentous event signifies a pivotal step in the Government's commitment to acknowledging skills and competencies gained outside traditional educational pathways. A total of 3,772 graduates received certificates for their expertise in construction, electrical, automotive, textile, cosmetology, and other technical domains.

The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) facilitated the training, aiming to certify Kenyans who have honed practical skills through experience, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. President Ruto emphasized that the country had long underappreciated these crucial skills. He stated, "Your customers knew your competence.

Our formal systems did not. Today, we are changing that." Over 60,000 Kenyans applied for the RPL certification process, with 20,000 funded jointly by the Government and the World Bank. The Government will cover the remaining 40,000 applicants, underscoring the administration's dedication to recognizing practical skills and unlocking economic opportunities for Kenyans.

RPL is central to the Government's job-creation strategy, as the skills of graduates will be vital for major national projects, particularly the Affordable Housing Programme. The President highlighted that the programme will contribute to the ongoing creation of approximately 1.1 million jobs. He also showcased other Government initiatives, such as ClimateWorx Mtaani, which has employed 45,000 youth, and the 701,000 Kenyans who have found overseas employment.

An additional 350,000 digital jobs have been generated through Jitume Labs. Ruto recalled his tenure as Higher Education Minister from 2010 to 2011, when he advocated for the re-evaluation of technical training colleges in Kenya's education system. Under his leadership, enrolment in these colleges rose from 89,000 in 2013 to 780,000 in 2022, with projections to reach 1.3 million by the end of 2026.

To facilitate the connection between certified artisans and skilled workers with potential customers, President Ruto launched the Fundi Locator App. He also introduced the Haba Haba Savings Scheme, a digital platform designed to encourage skilled workers to save for their future and secure their families' well-being. The President called upon the youth to embrace the habit of saving and investing, recommending wise investments in the Nairobi Securities Exchange rather than risky speculative activities.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-Kenya) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli cautioned the youth against being exploited by politicians seeking publicity. Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua also addressed the audience, emphasizing that opponents of transformative projects, including the KSh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu, do not have Kenya's and its youth's best interests at heart.