Members of Parliament have raised serious concerns over the missing title deed of the Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET), questioning why the institution has not recovered it nearly a decade after it was taken by the Ministry of Education.
Lawmakers said the delay has affected the school’s ability to fully operationalise its facilities and implement key reforms, slowing down efforts to deliver quality technical and vocational education.
During a Thursday session, the National Assembly Committee on Education reviewed documents showing that the title deed was collected by the Ministry of Education on September 9, 2016. Despite repeated efforts to recover it, the school has yet to regain possession of the deed, raising questions about administrative follow-ups and accountability.
“The Parliamentary Public Investment Committee had recommended that the Title Deed be reverted to the School, but this directive is yet to be effected,” said KSTVET Chief Executive Officer Edwin Tarno. He told the committee that the delay continues to affect the school’s operations and limits its ability to meet its mandate.
Committee chairperson Julius Melly assured the school that the matter would be escalated to the relevant authorities.
“We shall invite the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies on this matter,” he said, stressing the importance of resolving the issue to enable the school to function effectively.
The lawmakers also examined the school’s ongoing transition to a State Corporation, which was formalised through Legal Order Number 123 of 2022 and Executive Order Number 1 of 2023.
Tarno emphasised the urgent need to transfer trainers and their salary budgets from the State Department for TVET to the school. He said this move is essential for the institution to fully implement its new corporate status and meet the enhanced pay requirements for trainers.
In addition to the title deed challenge, MPs were briefed on other pressing issues affecting KSTVET. Government operational grants have been suspended, which has disrupted key services, including trainee assessments and facility maintenance.
The school is also facing a shortage of 115 trainers, against a recommended staffing level of 193, while payroll is still managed by the State Department for TVET.
Tarno further noted that the school lacks adequate and up-to-date training equipment, which continues to hinder its ability to provide practical, high-quality technical and vocational education.
These challenges, he said, directly affect the students’ learning experience and the school’s capacity to meet national workforce development goals.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the prolonged delays in resolving these issues, including the missing title deed, risk slowing down the school’s reforms and the successful implementation of its corporate mandate.
They emphasised the need for timely action to ensure the institution can fully operationalise its facilities, implement reforms, and meet the training needs of students across the country.
The session concluded with a commitment to follow up with all relevant agencies to address the pending title deed, the staffing gaps, and equipment shortages.
MPs said restoring the title deed and ensuring proper management of resources would be critical for KSTVET to continue providing quality technical and vocational education.