Strengthening institutional capacity among technical vocational entrepreurship training (tvet) in Kenya, a case study of bungoma county

The contribution of Science and Technology (S&T) to development is well observed world over, and in Kenya as a development priority. However, this has not been the case due to lack of proper investment technical institutions that offer technological innovations. Investing in S & T is the global new catchword not only for individual countries but also donors like the World Bank. Promotion of S & T cannot take place unless technical institutions are properly funded for research as well as enhanced man power development to allow generation and diffusion of scientific knowledge. This paper is about strengthening technical institutions for S&T in Kenya. The paper discusses the challenges faced by lecturers and students at TVET institutions in Bungoma County. In this paper, we have presented results of observation and personal interviews from lecturers and sampled students from departments of ICT, Building and Civil Engineering, Textile and Electrical Engineering; on the challenges impending actualization of S&T to benefit society. Through the analysis, it was established that professional development for scientific and technological research in TVET institutions is minimal. It was also established that most of the equipment for experiments, laboratory and field practical are good for examination purposes but not good enough for industrial experiences which is dynamic. The paper concludes that Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MoEST) must provide proper funding to these institutions for purchase of modern equipment which meets industrial demand. The teaching staff also needs frequent refresher courses and continuous professional development in various fields to update them on current technological innovations and industrial trends.