Siaya vocational training centers face closure due to delays in govt capitation
By Eric Juma, September 24, 2025Operations at Siaya Vocational Training centres are at risk of grinding to a halt due to a cash crunch caused by the government’s delay in releasing much-needed capitation funds.
Speaking during a public participation session on Siaya’s finance bill on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Patrick Ogutu, manager of Kabura Uhuyi VTC, stated that institutions have been operating on a shoestring budget, with most unable to pay workers engaged by the board, while others are at the mercy of their suppliers.
“We last witnessed capitulation in our institutions in September 2024, and if the cash crisis persists, we may be forced to shut down the institutions,” he said.
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“VTCs are key functions that were devolved in Counties, and funds should be made available to run them effectively. We appeal to Governor Orengo to come to our aid and revive the sector,” he added.
He added that suppliers have been demanding their dues, but our hands are tied.
The former board chairman of Nyadheho VTC, George Juma, echoed his sentiments, saying that he exited Nyadheho last year after the government remitted the September capitation.
“The institution is surviving with students sponsored by SHOFCO, adding that managing the institution is no longer tenable,” Juma said.
He further cited unrealistic budget cuts, lack of training tools and equipment, and under-capacitation of the trainees.
Juma added that the Ksh15000 annual capitation per trainee set during former president Mwai Kibaki’s tenure should be reversed upwards, taking into account the dynamics of the economy, inflation and the high cost of living.
In the 2024/2025 budgets, the county government allocated Ksh20 million, which was not disbursed
Reached for Comment, Education Chief Officer Richard Ogeda said each of the VTCs in Siaya has not received capitation because funds are not yet available.
“The suffering is common to all VTCs, and once we get money, it shall be disbursed to the institutions without delay,” Ogeda said.
However, Siaya Assembly budget committee chairman Sylvester Madialo assured VTCs that this FY budget has an allocation of Ksh 40 million that will be disbursed to the institutions.
“It’s the Ksh 20 million for last year and another Ksh 20 million for this financial year, making it a total of Ksh 40 million,” Madialo said, adding that the whole amount will be remitted in the accounts of the institutions for payment of pending bills and other programmes.”
Sega Polytechnic manager Lilian Otianga said VTCs must now find alternative strategies for running the institutions without necessarily depending on the capitations.
“Institutions which solely rely on capitation are now at a standstill. Managers need to come up with alternative income-generating activities to supplement what the government provides,” she said.