Kenyan youth share how green skills are changing their lives

By Pauline Ongaji

When electric vehicles started becoming more available in Kenya, and as motorists continued to embrace them, Johnstone Kioko, an automotive engineer with six years of industry experience, felt disadvantaged for a moment. He didn’t have the skills to handle such vehicles.

However, recognising that the future of transport was moving towards cleaner technologies, he realised he had no choice but to adapt. There and then, he appreciated the growing trend as an opportunity to acquire necessary skills, to remain competitive.

Kioko enrolled for specialised electric mobility training with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).

Today, looking back, Kioko applauds the trainers for imparting knowledge through lessons that included a good share of hands-on sessions. With this, he gained the confidence to work with emerging technologies.

True to his wishes, the certification opened new opportunities, and he later secured a position as a Centre Service Manager, where he presently supports operations and shares his knowledge with students entering the automotive sector.

"I believe the project is helping build Kenya's green transport workforce," he says.

A similar shift has taken place for Lawrence Wainaina, a solar energy trainee at NITA Nairobi. Living with a physical disability, Wainaina previously worked in household electrical installations. However, he saw an opportunity to expand his career by gaining renewable energy skills.

Through a network of persons with disabilities, he applied for solar installation training and joined the project.

Wainaina says the supportive learning environment, practical workshops and access to modern equipment helped him develop new technical abilities.

The training expanded his expertise from conventional electrical systems to solar installations, including solar panels and DC power systems.

For him, the training represents a chance to improve his employment opportunities and eventually establish his own solar business.

Wainaina and Kioko are among the many beneficiaries of a German and Norwegian-supported programme that is supporting young people in Kenya to gain expertise in green technologies.  

The Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (WE4D) programme, funded by the German and the Norwegian governments, is being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and WTS Energy, together with other partners, including the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK) and participating TVET institutions.

WE4D Team Leader at GIZ Kenya, Thomas Jaeschke, says ensuring that the green transition benefits everyone is central to the programme's approach.

“WE4D addresses barriers such as gender stereotypes, limited access to technical training for women, workplace challenges and barriers faced by persons with disabilities,” he points out.

He continues: “One of WE4D’s key achievements has been increasing women's participation in technical courses, with women now representing more than half of trainees in solar and e-mobility programmes,” he says.

This is exemplified by the training journey of Veronicah Gacheru, a renewable energy professional and entrepreneur who has built a career in Kenya's solar industry.

After studying Renewable Energy Technologies at Kibabii University, Veronicah received a scholarship from the WTS Foundation to undertake a Solar PV Installer Certificate at the Technical University of Mombasa. The practical training equipped her with skills in solar design, installation, troubleshooting and safety standards.

Today, she serves as Co-founder and Growth Lead at Vinsol Renewables, supporting solar solutions for homes, businesses, agricultural projects and institutions.

Gacheru says renewable energy is not only about providing electricity but also about creating jobs, supporting businesses and strengthening communities.

Through her company, she continues to support young trainees by providing opportunities for workplace exposure.

The experiences of these beneficiaries reflect a wider transformation taking place across Kenya’s TVET sector.

Institutions including TUM, NITA, Rift Valley National Polytechnic and Bondo Technical Training Institute are strengthening training through industry partnerships, modern equipment and competency-based curricula.

The focus is shifting from producing graduates who simply hold certificates, to developing professionals who can solve emerging problems and create value.

Beyond technical abilities, projects are incorporating entrepreneurship, communication, workplace safety and career readiness skills to prepare young people for both employment and self-employment.

Looking ahead, Jaeschke says sustained collaboration will be critical to maintaining this momentum.

“Training of instructors, improved teaching approaches and stronger industry partnerships have enhanced the quality of technical education,” he adds.

"Continued collaboration between governments, industry, development partners and training institutions will ensure Kenya's youth are equipped to lead the green transition," Jaeschke says, adding that the Kenya–Germany Labour Mobility Partnership is also creating opportunities for skilled Kenyan youth to access international training and employment pathways while promoting recognised vocational standards.

For women, persons with disabilities and young people across the country, these opportunities are helping break barriers that have traditionally limited participation in technical careers, creating a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals ready to drive Kenya's green economy.