Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi has admitted its first 200 students, opening a new route into tourism and hospitality training at the Coast after about two decades of delays.
The institution is expected to prepare young people for employment in Kenya’s tourism sector as well as opportunities in the international cruise industry.
The college has started operations under a partnership with MSC Shipping, which the government says will help connect training at the institution with employment opportunities in the cruise sector.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the Coast’s position in Kenya’s tourism industry made Kilifi a significant location for the institution.
She said about half of international visitors to Kenya travel to the Coast, creating demand for workers with skills relevant to tourism and hospitality.
Miano said young workers account for about 70 per cent of employment in the tourism sector, highlighting the potential importance of skills development as the industry creates jobs. Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said a significant number of students would be trained with cruise-industry jobs in mind, alongside those preparing to work in Kenya’s hospitality sector.
Bitok said the partnership was intended to give students a clearer path into the labour market after completing their studies.He said graduates who complete their training and examinations would have opportunities to enter the job market through the arrangements being developed with the shipping company.
The focus on cruise employment adds an international dimension to the training offered at the college. Students will not only be prepared for hotels and other tourism-related businesses in Kenya but will also have the opportunity to acquire skills aimed at meeting the requirements of the cruise industry.
The college’s opening follows a long development process. Kilifi North MP and Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya said the project was conceived about 20 years ago, while its groundbreaking took place in 2013. The institution is expected to expand its student population over time. Officials said it has the capacity to progressively accommodate up to 1,000 students as additional infrastructure and teaching staff are provided. Further construction is planned at the college, including a five-star hotel that will be used to provide practical training and attachment opportunities for students. The government also plans to recruit additional tutors as the institution grows, including specialists with experience in the cruise industry. The college’s employment prospects have also raised questions about opportunities for people living in the Coast region.
Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga said locals should benefit from jobs created by the institution, particularly positions that do not require specialised professional qualifications. Kilifi Senator Stewart Mazayo called for at least 70 per cent of non-professional positions at the college to be given to Coast residents.
He said the community should have a meaningful share of the employment opportunities arising from the institution.
The government expects graduates to seek employment both within Kenya and in international markets. Officials have identified countries including the United Kingdom, United States and Australia as potential destinations for graduates seeking work.