MINISTRY TO SUPPORT ILESI POTTERY APPRENTICESHIP

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through the Directorate of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has pledged to support residents of Ilesi community in enhancing their skills in pottery making, a craft that has been practised by the community for more than half a century.

The County Executive Member for Education Dr. George Akolo Lutomia who visited some of the potters at Ilesi, Isukha West Ward, Shinyalu Sub-County Monday said his Ministry will soon come up with a policy to fund craftsmen, other talented, skilled groups and individuals to boost their activities.

“This is a true picture of self employment that we are committed to supporting through our youth polytechnics and homecraft centres which are devolved functions,” the CECM assured, adding that all the other traditional skills existing within the County will be enhanced.

Dr. Lutomia noted that homecraft centres can easily lead to cottage industries as envisaged by the current Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and encouraged residents to enrol in County Polytechnics for acquisition of such skills.

County TVET Director Mr. Chrispinus Wamalwa said the Department will work towards promotion of partnerships and linkages of the potters to other sectors such as the Tourism and Industrialization.

Meanwhile, Water, Environment and Natural Resources CECM Mr. Kulati Wangia joined his Education, Science and Technology counterpart Dr. George Lutomia at Ilesi in handing over of a water spring whose construction was funded by the County Government of Kakamega to provide water services to the potters and the entire community.

Mr. Wangia thanked his colleague for individually giving back to the community adding that the County Government is almost through with the first phase of implementing clean and safe piped water supply across the County.

Chief Officer for Water Eng. Joseck Maloba advised the residents to avoid engaging in human activities that might affect the water volume such as grazing of cattle around the spring.