Patmoz
NITA and County Leaders Forge Strategic Partnerships to Advance Skills Development
By Steve El Sabai
Athi River, Kenya, June 23, 2025
The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is hosting a high-level consultative forum in Athi River, bringing together County Executive Committee Members for Education and Vocational Training from all 47 counties to forge stronger national–county partnerships.The event is chaired by Hon Ali Noor Aden, Chairman of the National Industrial Training Board, alongside Ms Carolyn Rutto, Chairperson of the Industrial Training and Strategy Committee, and Ms Theresa Wasike, Acting Director General of NITA. Ms Wasike brings more than 25 years of progressive public service experience and an MA in International Relations from Kiev State University. She has held senior roles across the Ministries of Labour and Social Protection, Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Interior. As Ag Director General, she provides strategic leadership of NITA operations including finance, administration and program oversight .Mr Herman Shambi, Secretary Administrator for Labour and Skills Development, is representing the Principal Secretary of the Ministry. He emphasized that the forum aims to align national and county efforts to deliver demand-led skills training that meets the needs of industry and reflects local realities.“We must work together to deliver inclusive and accessible skills development programs that prepare our citizens for the future workforce,” Mr Shambi said.Hon Aden highlighted Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as a key transformative tool for development. The programme enables individuals with informal or non formal skills to obtain formal certification and enhance employment prospects. He pointed out that this will recognise and uplift millions of skilled workers who have been previously overlooked.Ms Wasike underscored the Authority’s role in guiding the RPL rollout and setting standards for industrial training. She noted that NITA is working to ensure that all accredited training providers meet national quality standards and reinforce an integrity driven culture .Representatives from the Council of Governors and key technical training bodies joined the forum, including Mr Stephen Muriuki, Technical Education lead from the Council of Governors, and Ms Rita Mudza, Chairperson of the Education, Training and Allied Agencies Sector Training Committee.The forum is expected to produce actionable measures such as appointing RPL focal points at county level, improving infrastructure for vocational training centres, enhancing industry linkages and capacity building. The aim is to increase youth employability, bridge skills gaps and support Kenya’s economic transformation goals.The collaboration marks a major step toward a more integrated, responsive and impactful national skills agenda capable of unlocking new opportunities across all counties.
