Brief from the Kenya UNESCO-UNEVOC Centres Consultative Meeting on 30th June 2026 at the Kenya School of TVET
The Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), in collaboration with the Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET), convened a consultative meeting of Kenya’s seven UNESCO-UNEVOC Centres under the theme, “Knowledge Creation, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Kenya.” The meeting was held in a hybrid format, bringing together coordinators from the UNEVOC Centres both physically and virtually to review progress made, share lessons learnt, discuss implementation challenges, identify opportunities for collaboration, and present their planned activities for the 2026/2027 period. The meeting also formally welcomed the Kenya School of TVET and Kisumu National Polytechnic as Kenya’s two newly designated UNESCO-UNEVOC Centres, bringing the total number of Centres in the country to seven and further strengthening Kenya’s participation in the global UNESCO-UNEVOC Network.
The meeting was honoured by the participation of Kenneth Abraham Barrientos and Giorgia Malandrino from the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre, who provided an overview of the mandate of UNESCO-UNEVOC, highlighted the expectations of member centres, and shared opportunities for collaboration within the global network. The meeting was officially opened by Dr. Joel Ongoto, representing the Acting Secretary-General/CEO of KNATCOM, Dr. James Njogu. In the opening remarks, Dr. Ongoto underscored the critical role of collaboration among UNEVOC Centres in advancing quality, innovation, research, and sustainable development in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He reaffirmed KNATCOM’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, enhancing knowledge sharing, and supporting coordinated implementation of UNESCO programmes in Kenya.
A key outcome of the meeting was the unanimous resolution to establish a national coordination platform to be known as UNEVOC Centres Kenya. The platform will provide a structured mechanism for collaboration, experience sharing, joint programming, advocacy, and coordinated implementation of TVET initiatives aligned with national priorities and UNESCO’s mandate. Participants proposed that the Directorate of TVET in the Ministry of Education serve as the Chair of the platform, with KNATCOM serving as Co-Chair. The Secretariat will comprise all the seven UNEVOC Centres and the lead will be the Kenya School of TVET. The platform is expected to enhance institutional partnerships, strengthen policy engagement, improve coordination of activities, and amplify the collective impact of the UNEVOC Centres in promoting quality, inclusive, and sustainable TVET in Kenya.
Institutions Represented
1. Directorate of TVET
2. Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM)
3. Kenya School of TVET (Host)
4. Kisumu National Polytechnic
5. Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI)
6. Technical University of Mombasa (TUM)
7. UNEVOC Headquarters
8. University of Eldoret
Apology
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA)