Construction of Sh1b maritime training centre nears completion

The ongoing construction works of the Eastern Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) in Kwale County on July 24, 2024. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

The construction of the regional maritime and shipping logistics training centre at the cost of Sh1 billion in the remote village of Waa in Kwale County is 75 per cent complete.

Funded by the World Bank, the centre will admit over 1500 students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, said the deputy coordinator for Eastern Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) Acha Arina.

Arina, who is also the deputy director of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), said the centre will offer marine engineering, marine transport, and port logistics courses. “The World Bank Group, in consultation with the governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, have developed the project,” said Arina.

He said the project KNCP is one of the TVET institutions majoring in blue economy and marine courses, and the project was a five-year project.

Arina said the project aims to increase access to TVET programmes in selected Regional Flagship TVET Institutes, improve quality and relevance, and support regional integration in East Africa.

He said the Sh1.08 billion is inclusive of construction and purchase of equipment. "We are going to have functional systems, and the construction alone is sh600 million, and the rest is for equipment," he said.

KCNP Principal Marry Muthoka said the institution will be key marine transport and port logistics. “It is regional because we are training students from Kenya and the East African Region, including Ethiopia and beyond,” said Muthoka.

Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council of West Africa Prof Idris Rai said there is demand and potential to make the institution a regional centre for excellence.

“I believe there are a lot of employment opportunities for the youths, particularly in the TVET sector. It has huge potential for providing skills that directly link them to the job market,” said Rai.