The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education has begun reviewing and collecting views on the proposed Technical and Vocational Trainers Service Council (TVTSC) Bill, 2025, which aims to create a new body to manage human resource matters for TVET institutions in Kenya.
The proposed law seeks to establish a dedicated Council that will handle recruitment, deployment, training, and welfare of trainers in technical and vocational institutions.
The Council would operate like the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), but specifically serve vocational and technical trainers.
During a meeting with representatives from the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) and the State Department for TVET, Members of Parliament raised key concerns regarding the Bill’s relevance, structure, and financial impact.
Committee Chairperson Julius Melly advised stakeholders to review the Bill and ensure it only addresses national government functions.
He warned against overlapping with agencies like TSC, saying, “Operate within your territory. Please amend your submissions to avoid duplication with other bodies.”
KATTI Chairperson Dr. David Maina Mwangi and Frank Mukuna from the State Department for TVET defended the proposal, saying the current arrangement under the Public Service Commission is slow and does not meet the urgent staffing needs of TVET institutions.
“We are implementing a Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) model that needs practical trainers, not just teachers of theory,” said Mukuna. “Going back to the TSC model would slow us down.”
Despite the support, some lawmakers called for deeper scrutiny. Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera asked whether lessons from TSC’s experience with teacher unions and professional development had been taken into account.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase questioned the financial implications and potential duplication of roles.
“Are we not taking over TSC’s responsibilities? Who will pay these trainers if the national government doesn’t handle HR for devolved units?” she asked.
Siaya MP Christine Ombaka asked, “What is so difficult about returning TVET trainers to TSC? Why create a whole new council?”
However, Baringo North MP Joshua Makilap backed the proposed Bill, noting the large number of trainers and unique needs of technical institutions.
“A Council is necessary. It will offer specialized support,” he said.
The proposal is partly guided by a 2018 court ruling that nullified the transfer of TVET teachers from the TSC to the Public Service Commission without a proper legal framework.
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER) also recommended the creation of a Trainers Council to improve trainer management and harmonize employment terms.
If passed into law, the new Council would be responsible for maintaining a national database of trainers, handling recruitment, discipline, deployment, and ongoing professional development.
MP Nabwera urged KATTI to involve more trainers in the public participation process. “Have you consulted the trainers you represent? Their input is key,” he said.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
