Kenya 'forced to import skilled labour'

Kenya is experiencing an acute shortage of skilled labour due to the elevation of middle-level colleges to universities, Mumias Sugar Company MD, Evans Kidero, has said.

Dr Kidero said Mumias Sugar Company has in the recent past been forced to import welders from India and Philippines as the country has a shortage of trained welders.

“The decision to convert some colleges in different parts of the country into universities has to be reviewed and more middle-level colleges re-introduced to train technicians to serve the local labour market,” he said.

He said not all Kenyans can have white-collar jobs and those who do not qualify to join universities should be given an opportunity to train in middle-level colleges.

Dr Kidero who has declared his interest in contesting for the post of Governor in Nairobi County was speaking over the weekend at the Parklands Sports Club..

The Kenya National Union of Teachers is one of the organisations that has opposed plans of elevation of public middle-level colleges into universities.

The union’s chairman, Mr Wilson Sossion, said this had denied students, who are locked out of universities, a chance to train at tertiary institutions.

He called for the construction of more universities as opposed to elevation of the said institutions, reiterating that such a move would contribute to the shortage of skilled labour in Kenya.

More than 10 middle-level colleges have so far been converted into constituent colleges of Moi, Maseno, and Kenyatta universities, Jomo-Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and University of Nairobi.

Education experts warn that the takeover by universities is bound to impact negatively on the production of middle-level personnel required for Kenya to achieve Vision 2030 goals. Vision 2030 relies on science, technology and innovation (STI) in the promotion of its mandate.

Dr Kidero said efficient and effective utilisation of the 1,000 megawatts of electricity produced in the country can eradicate the current power shortages being experienced in the country.

“Kenya produces 1,000MW of power and consumes the same during the day but about 400MW at night. A change in production schedules by huge power consumers can stabilise supply,” he said.

He asked Kenyans to elect visionary leaders with technical and financial skills to utilise available resources prudently and turn-around the socio-economic development of counties.

“People who are aspiring to take over the leadership of counties should be able to promote transparency and integrity in the management of county affairs,” he said.

He added that aspiring governors should have a road map on how to tackle problems facing different counties such as water and electricity shortages, infrastructure development, sanitation and environment, unemployment and mushrooming of slums.

“In Nairobi, what is required is rules enhancing adherence to by-laws, proper urban transportation system and traffic regulations enforced to eradicate traffic jams,” he said.