Nakuru-based Kenya Industrial Training Institute(KITI)has entered a memorandum of understanding(MoU) with Kenya Bureau of Standards(KEBS) on certification of welders.
The MoU was signed on Monday February 16, 2026 at KITI by Ag. Director KITI Eng. Wabwile Simiyu, KEBS’ Managing Director Ms Esther Ngari and witnessed by KEBS’ National Standards Council members led by Chair Dr. Chris Wamalwa.
It is an MoU that aims to enhance quality of products by ensuring certified welders.
This will help seal the gap that has been there where majority of products, survey indicates have been done by welders who are not certified.
Speaking during the event, Ag. Director KITI Eng. Wabwile Simiyu stated that the MoU marks the beginning of enhancing quality of products and create job opportunities.
He reiterated that the Institution’s mandate is basically industrial training courses.
“We are an Institution mandated with Industrial Training and that is exactly our focus. We will continue to work towards ensuring quality production through our competence based training,” he said.
On her part Managing Director KEBS MS Esther Ngari cited that the MoU is not a ceremonial document, but a strategic plan towards improved quality production.
She reiterated that KEBS’ certification body continues to ensure quality by aligning the requirements with the global standards.
“We will continue to vet to ensure KITI meets standards required. We are building synergies from Classroom to workshops to certification and to job opportunities. Trainees should understand that skills matter, but they at the same time must be validated. We want a certificate issued in Nakuru be recognized beyond our borders. The impartial credible assessments will continue to ensure technical professionals in Kenya towards industries’ transformation,” she said.
She at the same time pointed out that with Government’s major projects such as Affordable Housing, SGR and even pipeline projects, there is need for professional Human Resource hence the MoU is timely.
Ms Ngari was however quick to point out that the welders who will be certified will not only be recognized locally but internationally.
She noted that the market is looking for certified welders, hence the certification is key towards jobs creation.
The MD also used the moment to assure members of public and consumers that KEBS has continued to ensure all products in the market meet the standard mark of quality.
One can check the standard mark or the Diamond mark to ascertain the same.
Chairman National Standards Council(KEBS Board) Dr. Chris Wamalwa reiterated that the MoU is a strategic intervention towards national transformation.
Wamalwa pointed out that the MoU aligns with mandates of the two institutions(KEBS and KITI).
Under the MoU, KEBS will certify learners who have completed their studies at KITI as per ISO international standards.
Wamalwa at the same time reiterated Government’s committment towards Industrial transformation.
“This is about young artisans gaining international recognition, about institutional aligning. The Government remains committed to industrial transformation through such collaborations,” he stated.
He added that the certification will go a long way in addressing challenges being experienced in the country where buildings are collapsing.
According to him, KEBS is working towards the same in ensuring the welders and other workers are certified so as to avert such cases.
“The certification is crucial because some of the welders we have out there are half baked and that is why we are seeing some buildings collapsing and people dying. As KEBS we are addressing some of the challenges wholesomely. We have standards in terms of manpower as well as products that can be recognized globally and that is why we are working to ensure such,” he said.