NAIROBI, Kenya – Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called for increased collaboration between public and private sectors to address the pressing shortage of aviation training institutions in Kenya, especially within the technical and vocational education sectors.
Speaking at the Kenya Airways Pride Centre during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya Airways and London Metropolitan University, Ogamba expressed concern over the lack of aviation-focused degree programs in local universities. He emphasized that the limited availability of advanced aviation training locally is forcing many aspiring professionals to seek costly education abroad, restricting access for many.
“Despite our country’s role as a regional aviation hub, we are experiencing a severe gap in aviation training infrastructure, particularly in technical and vocational training,” Ogamba said. “This lack of capacity threatens to undermine the future of the sector.”
He stressed the urgent need to develop aviation training infrastructure capable of supporting the growing demand for skilled professionals in fields such as piloting, aircraft engineering, and aviation management. He urged both government bodies and private investors to work together to establish top-tier aviation training institutions in Kenya.
Ogamba praised the Kenya Airways–London Met partnership as a vital step toward addressing these challenges, noting that such alliances can facilitate access to globally recognized qualifications while enhancing local training capabilities.
He highlighted the success of public-private partnerships in sectors like healthcare and general education as proof of their potential to enhance aviation education as well.
“This collaboration is a much-needed initiative. It opens up new training opportunities and moves us closer to producing highly skilled aviation professionals locally,” he added.
With the aviation industry experiencing growing demand for talent, Ogamba called for immediate and coordinated action to ensure Kenya’s competitiveness on the global stage. He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to developing policies that support the growth of aviation education.
“Our collective effort will shape the future of aviation training in Kenya and ensure our leadership in the African aviation space,” he concluded.
