The narrative that "education is the key" has long locked millions of skilled Kenyans out of the formal economy simply because they lack a piece of paper. That barrier is about to be shattered. MPs have thrown their weight behind the Industrial Training (Amendment) Bill, 2024, a landmark piece of legislation that promises to issue formal certificates to Jua Kali artisans based on their practical skills, not their classroom attendance.

Sponsored by Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, the Bill mandates the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) to establish a framework for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This means the mechanic in Grogon who can fix a Mercedes engine blindfolded but dropped out in Form Two will finally get a certificate equivalent to a diploma, opening doors to government tenders and formal employment.

Dignity for the Hustler

"This is about dignity," MP Oron told the House. "We have masons who build skyscrapers and tailors who dress the nation, yet they are treated as second-class citizens because they don't have a degree. This Bill rectifies that historical injustice." The proposal aligns perfectly with the government's Bottom-Up Economic Agenda, aiming to formalize the informal sector which employs over 80% of the Kenyan workforce.

Under the new law, NITA will assess artisans through practical tests. A welder will be asked to weld, a plumber to plumb. If they pass, they get certified. It strips away the theory-heavy exams that have disenfranchised talented workers for decades.

• The Economic Impact: Formal certification means Jua Kali artisans can now bid for contracts that require "qualified personnel." It also allows them to work abroad in countries that demand certified skilled labor, boosting diaspora remittances.
• The Sector Scope: The Bill covers diverse trades including automotive engineering, masonry, carpentry, hairdressing, beauty therapy, and textile technology.
• The Implementation Challenge: Critics warn that without proper funding for NITA and strict oversight, the certification process could be marred by corruption, with certificates being sold to the highest bidder rather than earned by the most skilled.

From Gikomba to the World

The Bill has excited the Jua Kali sector. "I have been a carpenter for 20 years," says Peter Kamau from Ngong Road. "I have trained university graduates who don't know how to hold a hammer. If this government gives me a certificate, I can finally apply for the tenders to supply desks to schools instead of being a sub-contractor for a rich man."

As the Bill moves to the next stage, it represents a rare moment of bipartisan agreement in a polarized Parliament. For the millions of Kenyans who built this country with their hands while being looked down upon by those who built it with pens, recognition is finally coming home.