Kakuma – November 11th 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
A new training institute aimed at equipping women, youth, and other vulnerable groups with market-ready technical and vocational skills has opened its doors in Kakuma.
Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the German Embassy, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, alongside county and sub-county officials.
The Namelon Training Institute is among several enterprises established with support from the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) — a joint initiative of the IFC and development partners that promotes private sector growth in displacement-affected areas.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Erus commended the partnership between the County Government, IFC, and donor institutions, noting that the collaboration had opened new opportunities for inclusive growth, economic transformation, and host–refugee integration.
“The impact of this partnership is visible. We now see new institutions and enterprises driving change and empowering our people. I urge all beneficiaries to make full use of this support to expand their ventures and create more opportunities for the local population,” said Dr. Erus.
He added that the County had identified key areas of economic potential, expressing confidence that the new institute would help bridge the local skills gap by serving as a hub for technical training and knowledge transfer.
County Secretary, Amb. Dr. Richard Ekai, underscored the importance of vocational training, citing global models that prioritize technical skills as drivers of national development. He encouraged the youth to enroll in large numbers and embrace skills-based learning as a path to employment and self-reliance.
On her part, County Executive for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Areas Management, Faith Aletea, emphasized the need for continued partnerships, noting that such initiatives would help Kakuma evolve into a well-equipped and vibrant municipality.
Similarly, County Executive for Trade, Tourism, Gender and Youth Affairs, James Wangiros, said the institute and other KKCF-supported enterprises would contribute to turning Kakuma into a bustling centre of trade and innovation.
The delegation later toured other KKCF-supported ventures, including Sanivation Limited, which provides sanitation and waste-to-energy solutions; Renewvia Energy, a solar power provider; and Silo Agrovet which promotes fodder production and prosopis control for sustainable livestock farming.
