September 2026 Intake draws thousands of learners as demand for practical, industry-ready training continues to rise
Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector is experiencing a remarkable transformation, with an increasing number of young people choosing technical and vocational training as a pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and professional growth. The growing national appetite for practical skills was evident at Kabete National Polytechnic, where thousands of prospective trainees turned up for the September 2026 Intake, reaffirming the institution’s position as a leading destination for skills-based education in Kenya.
According to a report published by The Standard on September 2, 2026, Kabete National Polytechnic had registered more than 2,900 learners by the second day of admission, with the number expected to reach about 4,000 by the end of the admission period. The surge comes at a time when TVET enrolment across the country has reached unprecedented levels. TVET Principal Secretary Dr Esther Muoria, Phd noted that enrolment in TVET institutions increased from approximately 350,000 learners in 2022 to 1,201,320 by May 2026. More than 26,000 learners who attained C+ and above, the minimum university entry grade, have also voluntarily opted for TVET programmes, demonstrating the changing perception of technical education.
The September Intake at Kabete National Polytechnic reflects a broader shift in how young Kenyans view education and career development. Increasingly, learners are looking beyond academic qualifications to acquire competencies that can directly translate into employment, enterprise and innovation.
Education Cabinet Secretary Hon. Julius Ogamba, EBS has attributed the growing interest in TVET to increasing demand in the labour market for practical competencies in areas such as engineering, construction, automotive technology, ICT, hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy. At Kabete National Polytechnic, this demand is being met through hands-on, Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) which is designed to prepare trainees for a rapidly changing world of work.
The institution currently offers more than 100 technical and vocational courses across areas including engineering, information technology, health sciences, applied sciences, hospitality and business.
TVET training model places strong emphasis on practical learning, modern equipment, qualified trainers, industry linkages and innovation. The approach ensures that trainees do not simply acquire certificates, but develop competencies that enable them to solve real-world problems and create opportunities for themselves and others.
Training for a Changing World
Speaking during the September Intake admission exercise, Kabete National Polytechnic Chief Principal Dr Patrick Muchemi, OGW underscored the importance of keeping training aligned with technological advancement and emerging industry needs. “Training must keep pace with changing technology and that is what we are building on. The technicians of the future must not only understand how systems operate but also how to make them safer, cleaner and more efficient.”
The growing enrolment at Kabete is therefore being matched by investments in modern infrastructure, equipment, industry-relevant curricula and a training environment that encourages innovation and competency development. The institution’s official profile highlights its focus on learning through real machines, real materials and real projects, supported by competency-based curricula and industrial attachment opportunities.
Established in 1924 as the Native Industry Training Depot, the institution has evolved through different stages of Kenya’s education and industrial development before attaining a national polytechnic status in 2016. Today, Kabete continues to build on this legacy by equipping learners with skills relevant to Kenya’s current and future economy. With the Government targeting two million TVET learners and expanding access to technical institutions across the country, institutions such as Kabete National Polytechnic are expected to play an increasingly important role in developing the skilled workforce required to drive Kenya’s economic transformation.
For many of the learners joining Kabete this September, the decision represents more than simply enrolling in college. It is a deliberate step towards acquiring practical skills, building careers and exploring entrepreneurship. Kabete National Polytechnic runs intakes in January, May and September, offering opportunities for learners to pursue programmes in artisan (Level 3), craft (Level 4), certificate (Level 5) and diploma (Level 6) and soon starting level 7.
The September 2026 Intake applications were opened across the institution’s departments, with reporting scheduled from 1st to 9th September 2026. As Kenya continues to embrace technical and vocational education as a critical engine of employment and economic development, Kabete National Polytechnic remains committed to its mission of producing competent, innovative and industry-ready graduates.
The message from this September Intake is clear: TVET is no longer a second choice. For a growing generation of Kenyan youth, it is a direct route to skills, work, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Kabete National Polytechnic: Bidii na Uaminifu.