By Robert Mutasi 
President William Ruto on Monday commissioned the Kenya School of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Moiben Campus in Uasin Gishu County as he continued his development tour of the North Rift region.
The event highlighted the government’s investment in technical and vocational education as part of efforts to equip young people with practical skills, improve their employment prospects and address gaps in the labour market.
The Kenya Kwanza administration has prioritised TVET education to expand opportunities for young people beyond traditional academic pathways, strengthen technical skills and prepare graduates for employment and entrepreneurship.
The investment also supports the government’s agenda of linking education and training to industry needs, enabling graduates to acquire practical competencies for employment and self-employment.
After commissioning the Moiben campus, Ruto proceeded to Ziwa, where he commissioned the Ziwa Dam II project and the Sirikwa-Ziwa Machine Road at 3 p.m.
His programme also included an inspection of Ziwa Level 5 Hospital before he addressed a public rally in the area.
The activities formed part of an 11-day development tour covering six North Rift counties: Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo.
The President began the tour in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County, on Saturday, October 10, as the government stepped up its regional development engagements ahead of this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The national event is scheduled for October 20 at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. It will be the first time the North Rift region hosts the annual celebrations.
Ruto was also scheduled to return to Eldoret on Saturday, October 17, for the final phase of his development activities in Uasin Gishu before the national event.
His programme included plans to commission the rehabilitation and desilting of the Kerita Dam water project in Kesses, the Kapseret Economic Stimulus Programme market, the Pioneer Affordable Housing Project and the 64 Champions Modern Market.
He was also expected to flag off the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity programme at Pioneer, preside over the issuance of Women Enterprise Fund county cheques and address a public rally in Eldoret.
Meanwhile, Uasin Gishu leaders urged Kenyans to visit the region for the celebrations, assuring them that adequate accommodation and security arrangements had been put in place.
Senator Jackson Mandago encouraged visitors to arrive early and explore the region’s tourism attractions before and after the national event.
“As the people of this region, we are very warm. Just in case you miss accommodation, talk to anybody in the street and tell them you want to be around for Mashujaa Day. We shall host you as a region,” Mandago said.
He spoke on Saturday at Eldoret Sports Club, where county leaders briefed the media on preparations for the celebrations.
The event presented Uasin Gishu and neighbouring counties with an opportunity to showcase their development projects, cultural heritage and tourism attractions to visitors from across the country.
The region also anticipated increased business activity from visitors expected to attend the national celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium.