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The Nairobian

Ministry unveils tourism training revolving fund

Rift Valley

By Antony Gitonga | Dec 17, 2024

**Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano is shown some of the stuffed wildlife species during the Wildlife Research and Training Institute graduation ceremony in Naivasha on November 11, 2024.** [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has introduced a Tourism Training Revolving Fund targeting students undertaking tourism and wildlife courses.

The fund that will be managed by the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) will benefit thousands of students in tertiary institutions across the country.

The ministry said the high cost of education was a challenge to many families in the country.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, announced that the revolving fund has been introduced by the under Tourism Fund.

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Miano was optimistic that the fund would ensure students secure admission to institutions undertaking tourism and wildlife courses.

Speaking during a tour of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, the CS said the fund would see an increase in enrolment.

“The Tourism Fund has set aside a Tourism Training Revolving Fund to be managed by Helb and I encourage aspiring and continuing students to apply to the Fund for resources,” she said.

She regretted that the high cost of learning had led to low enrollment and high dropout in the tertiary institutions.

“My Ministry is alive to the high cost of education and the struggles many parents and guardians are currently facing in educating their children,” she said.

With the introduction of the revolving fund, she challenged the research institution to look into expanding infrastructure and human capital.

The CS lauded WRTI for the first National Wildlife Training that helped identify skills gaps that informed the institute’s training programmes.

“It is also gratifying to note that this agenda will guide training and capacity development in the wildlife sector for the next 10 years,” she said.

She assured that the ministry would fast track the review of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act to streamline regulations on the conduct of wildlife research in the country.

“KWS and WRTI should work closely to cross- facilitate each other in the wildlife research permitting process to ensure that the system is as facilitative as possible,” she said.

WRTI Director Patrick Omondi said they are fully compliant with the statutory and regulatory requirements set by the government in the fulfillment of its research and training mandate.

“As we grow the student numbers, it is also important to enhance staff capacity, especially in our training division and other support services,” Dr Omondi said.