President William Ruto awarded certificates to 3,727 skilled artisans at a State House graduation in Nairobi, marking a major step in Kenya’s push to formally recognize workers who learned their trades on the job.
The graduates earned credentials through the Recognition of Prior Learning program run by the National Industrial Training Authority. The assessments covered 48 trades, including masonry, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, roofing, painting, drainage, and mechanics. NITA said the cohort included 2,166 men and 1,561 women. Among the women, 17 received certification in masonry.
The same event also launched Fundi Locator, a government portal under the National Vocational Training Platform that links certified workers with customers. Workers register using a national identity document and a working phone number, then list their trade, years of experience, and service area. They can add certificates, job photos, and references, although the portal does not require them. Profiles go live after a credentials check.
For construction customers, Fundi Locator allows searches by trade, county, or name. Users can compare experience, certification, service area, price range, and reviews, then book and message within the platform. A “Find a fundi” feature is also being tested on MjengoNetworks.co.ke.
For mason contractors, the platform puts one more screening tool on the table. Certification status, documented experience, and job photos give crews and clients a faster way to confirm skill, align scope, and set expectations before work starts. The launch also stated that registration does not guarantee work, and ratings post only after a job is marked complete.
Kenya Times reported that NYOTA Cycle 2 drew 63,825 applicants, with 4,543 sitting the final assessment. The government said it plans to certify 20,000 young people through RPL over the next one to two years.
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