Equip Africa Institute, the TVET arm of Mount Kenya University, on Wednesday, December 11 held its third graduation ceremony.
The epic ceremony — themed ’embracing competency-based training for a transformative future through quality training and value–based Education — held in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, saw the largest and most dynamic graduating class to date.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Equip Africa Institute’s Executive Director Prof Evans Kerosi Somoni thanked the graduands and parents for choosing Equip Africa Institute as their preferred learning institution.
“We are truly honored to have been a part of your academic journey, and we hope that your time with us has been both enriching and fulfilling,” he said.
Mount Kenya University Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi was delighted that Equip Africa was achieving its mission to bridge the gap in skilled training and meet the dynamic requirements of various industries.
Acknowledging that Equip Africa was established to champion competency-based training as a tool for transformative education, Prof. Jaganyi said that he was proud to witness the steady growth of the institute over the years.
“We live in an era where skill-based training is no longer an optional but central to economic development. Globally, competency-based education has emerged as the master key to unlocking innovation, growth and sustainability,” Prof. Jaganyi said. “By focusing on practical, hands on learning, we prepare our students not just to enter the workforce, but to lead in their respective industries. This is why MKU invests heavily in skill-based training programs.”
The guest speaker Mr Samson Ojwang’, who is Trans Nzoia County’s CEC Health Services and Sanitation, was dully represented by Mr Boniface Wanyonyi, the CEC in charge of Water, Environmental, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
In his speech, Mr Wanyama congratulated the graduands for their hard work and dedication. He also noted the exemplary effort being made by Equip Africa in providing education that transforms life.
“In particular, I applaud the institute’s leadership in offering essential health related programmes such as Diploma in Nursing, Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Health Records, Nutrition Dietetics, and Operative Theatre Technology among others,” he said, adding, “these courses not only equip students with vital skills but also address critical gaps in the healthcare system.”
Mr Barasa assured Trans Nzoia County’s commitment in helping Equip Africa achieve its vision of being a regional centre of excellence in technical training and innovation.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Kipkirui Langat – Director General of TVET Authority, was represented in the ceremony by Dr. Paul Wanyeki, TIVET Authority’s Director of Standards Development, Compliance, and Enforcement.
Dr. Wanyeki congratulated Equip Africa for being accredited by TVET Authority, and offering training as per the standards, giving Kenyans value for their money.
He lauded Equip Africa as one of the pioneer institutions to embrace the Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (C-DAK Assessment Model).
“Equip Africa Institute, since its inception, has set some admirable standards in technical and vocational education and training sector. With your seven centres — Nairobi, Thika, Malindi, Kitale, Nakuru, Kisii and Mombasa — you have brought quality training closer to the countless young people across the country. This wide reach is a statement of your vision of empowering learners with skills that are both market relevant and transformative,” Dr. Wanyeki added.
Apart from TVET Authority, Equip Africa Institute is also accredited by other professional bodies like Nursing Council of Kenya, Clinical Officers Council of Kenya, Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Institute, Kenya Medical Laboratory and Technicians Board, as well as the Health Records and Information Management Systems Board. These bodies ensure that Equip Africa produce professionals ready to meet demands of the healthcare and other sectors.
