Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has called on newly certified hospitality workers to leverage their qualifications to access both local and international job markets, as the county seeks to expand its tourism sector. The governor’s message, delivered via County Secretary Dr. Francis Sang at a graduation ceremony at Kaiboi National Polytechnic in Mosop sub-County, emphasized the importance of formal certification in bridging a long-standing gap where skilled workers were excluded from opportunities due to a lack of academic credentials. The event marked the culmination of the Tourism Fund-sponsored Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Upskilling Programme, which validated the competencies of workers who have contributed to Kenya’s hospitality industry through years of hands-on experience.
Mosop Member of Parliament Abraham Kirwa urged graduates to look beyond Kenya’s borders, highlighting the global demand for hospitality skills. He specifically mentioned opportunities in Qatar, the United States, and Germany, stressing that certification would enhance their mobility in a competitive labor market. Kirwa also encouraged further training to advance careers, while acknowledging Kaiboi National Polytechnic as a critical institution for technical and vocational education. He reiterated his advocacy for elevating the polytechnic to a national status to broaden youth opportunities in the region.
Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge highlighted the RPL programme’s role in addressing systemic barriers faced by workers whose practical skills were previously unrecognized. She noted that many hospitality sector employees had mastered their craft through experience but were disadvantaged by employers’ reliance on formal certificates. Muge emphasized that certification would not only empower workers but also facilitate partnerships between public institutions and qualified local service providers. She called on the county to expand the initiative by identifying additional skills for recognition through Kaiboi and other TVET institutions, underscoring the importance of skilled labor in shaping visitors’ experiences in Nandi.
The pilot cohort of the RPL programme was certified in barista skills, events management, food and beverage production, and front office operations. Muge challenged local hospitality businesses to improve service quality and capacity to host major conferences, advocating for stronger collaboration among investors, trainers, and government to position Nandi as a premier tourism and conference destination. The programme’s success has sparked discussions about scaling similar initiatives to address broader skills gaps in the region, aligning with national efforts to boost tourism and economic growth through vocational development.
Nandi Hospitality Workers Encouraged to Pursue Global Opportunities Post-Certification