National Hero Challenging Attitudes on Vocational Training
Growing up in Lokitaung’ Natoo village in Turkana county, 28 year old Emmanuel Loroo spent his childhood herding goats. In fact, were it up to his uncles he would have never set foot in a classroom. As
the firstborn and only son among his mother’s three children, the weight of tradition and expectation rested heavily upon his shoulders.
“I left school several times because my uncle wanted me to herd goats, which meant carrying guns and travelling to the border in search of greener pastures,” Loroo says, flinching at the mention of guns.
In Northern Kenya, communities have long grappled with conflicts rooted in cattle rustling and banditry.
In these arid regions, livestock is a symbol of wealth and status, making cattle a prime target for theft. Banditry which was once viewed as a rite of passage has evolved into a hideout for organized crime with the increase in illegal firearms in the region. “One of my uncles was shot on the leg while on a raid. Some of my peers have also lost their lives because of cattle rustling,” Loroo says. However, his parents were adamant and he was able attend school. After completing highschool the family could not afford to take him to college and he was forced to drop out. Still, this did not deter him. Loroo began volunteering as a translator for the Parklands Baptist Church missionaries in Lokitaung’. The mission quickly recognized his potential and offered to sponsor his first professional certificate program. Loroo chose a program in petroleum engineering.
“I was admitted at the Petroleum institute of East Africa where I finished my certificate after 2 years,” he says, “Having little else to do in Nairobi, I went back home and that is when I came across the KCB
Foundation vocational training scholarship.” The scholarship would enable him pursue a short course in welding at the East African Welding Institute, an opportunity that Loroo describes as his silver lining. “Welding changed my life,” he says, “A few months after training I received a welding toolkit from KCB Foundation and that marked the beginning of my journey as a welder.”
Humble Beginnings Without money to rent a shop nor electricity at home, setting up a workshop for his business proved a challenge. However, determined to make it work, Loroo took a bold step and turned to social media where he started posting about his services. “I felt like I had nothing to lose. I did not have a job and my sick mother and siblings were depending on me,” he says, “I went online and wrote about my business.”
He would walk door to door to meet his clients at their point of need. Loroo’s unwavering dedication to his craft quickly set him apart enabling him to grow his clientele. With each welding job, he managed to save just enough to cover his daily living expenses and support his family. Word of his reliability began to spread, and as demand for his services increased, Loroo saw an opportunity to expand his operations.
This marked the beginning of Tech Friends of Topiye (TFT).
“I founded TFT as a workshop to provide welding services and to train more young people of Turkana with welding skills and support the vulnerable in my community,” says Loroo TFT has grown to employ 5 people and support youth, women and people with disabilities by addressing their daily needs through acts of giving and empowerment.
Turkana Tech Youth Hub TFT has since evolved into Turkana Tech Youth Hub, a social enterprise with a mission to empower the
youth of Turkana through quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training, climate resilience initiatives, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and employ-ability.
Through the Turkana Tech Hub, Loroo is shifting youth attitudes towards vocational training and education. The initiative is also engaging youth in critical peace dialogues to combat the challenges of
insecurity that are facing Turkana and its neighboring communities. Moreover, it is also keen promoting environmental conservation measures amongst pastoralist communities. “We have the TVET Green Initiative where we distribute tree seedlings to the communities in Turkana to replace trees that have been cut down. We want to stop deforestation in Turkana,” says Loroo.
The initiative has earned several accolades including the Presidential Innovation Award for the Smart Climate Stool (Ekicholong), an innovation aimed at safeguarding indigenous trees such as the ‘Ekadeli’ from being cut down. Loroo has also been recognized with the Devolution Award and most recently, the National Hero Award issued by the National Heroes Council, for his contributions in environmental conservation and youth empowerment. Not only is he a youth champion, but also an innovator. His vision is to empower young people to become active agents of change in their communities.
National TVET Ambassador Priding himself as the National TVET ambassador, Loroo has made it his mission to reshape the
narratives and perceptions surrounding vocational training and education. “Learning welding completely transformed my life. It has enabled me to provide for myself and support others. I have also come to realize that many people view TVET as the alternative for failures but I am here to challenge that mindset,” he says. Loroo has taken the initiative to engage his community and leaders at various levels on vocationaltraining and skilling for youth in Turkana county and nationwide.
“The world is shifting towards a skill - based economy which is one of the most effective ways we can eradicate poverty in our communities especially in places like Turkana and Baringo where many people have not had the opportunity to go to school. With TVET you can start your own business and earn a living. That is why I became a National TVET Ambassador.” As a National TVET Ambassador, Loroo plays a pivotal role in championing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a pathway to employment. With the high rates of unemployment amongst youth in Kenya, TVET has emerged as a critical solution.
The number of TVET institutions have increased significantly from 753 in 2013 to over 2500 in 2022 and fees have also been subsidized,
making vocational training more accessible in Kenya. “I am a proud welder and I hope more young people can embrace TVET and change their lives,” Loroo says, culminating a very thought provoking interview.
By sharing his own success story, Loroo is inspiring young people to embrace technical skills, highlighting their potential to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
