The Morendat Institute of Oil & Gas National Polytechnic (MIOG-NP), wholly owned by Kenya Pipeline Company Plc (KPC Plc), announced a scale-up of its specialised pipeline-welding training and international certification programmes.
The institute aims to train and certify more than 30 pipeline welders each year and says it can eventually deliver over 100 certified welders annually.
Since 2024, MIOG-NP has produced 101 certified pipeline welders, most of whom have been employed by KPC, while the remainder have taken positions abroad; this year the institute graduated 10 welders, up from fewer than ten a decade ago.
Acting Managing Director and CEO Pius Mwendwa told a Nairobi audience that “At KPC, we are working hard to fuel growth in Kenya and the region by unlocking and tapping into emerging opportunities in the oil and gas sector, including the transformation of Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas as an industry training hub for technical workforce development. This will help to stem brain drain and importation of technicians.”
He added that “Major developments such as the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu and the South Lokichar oil project in Turkana present significant opportunities for Kenyan professionals. Our priority is to ensure that Kenya has the technical capacity to participate meaningfully in these investments, reduce reliance on imported expertise and create sustainable employment opportunities for our young people.”
Director Dr Nancy Kosgei said the polytechnic is expanding its portfolio with competency-based diplomas, certificates, short courses and internationally recognised certification pathways, including advanced welding training that meets ISO 9606-1 standards.
She explained that “Our focus is to equip trainees with practical, industry-relevant skills that improve their employability and enable them to compete in an increasingly demanding labour market. Through this roadshow, we are taking our training opportunities directly to prospective students, experienced artisans and industry professionals seeking to upgrade their qualifications.”
Kosgei also highlighted the Recognition of Prior Learning programme, noting that “Many Kenyans possess valuable technical skills acquired through years of experience but lack formal qualifications. Our Recognition of Prior Learning programme provides a structured pathway for these individuals to obtain recognised certification, advance their careers and access new opportunities in Kenya and beyond.”
The institute is seeking partnerships with county governments, industry players and other institutions to broaden training in firefighting, occupational health and safety, emergency response, electrical installation and LPG handling and management.
Established in 2014 as a regional centre of excellence, MIOG-NP was elevated to National Polytechnic status in September 2024 and has trained more than 6,000 professionals across its Nairobi, Naivasha and Eldoret campuses.
The expansion comes as Kenya pursues large-scale energy projects, including the KSh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu County, designed to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude daily, host a 1,000-megawatt power plant and create up to 60,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a projected 12 per cent boost to GDP.
The Gulf Energy-led South Lokichar oil development aims for first commercial crude production by December 2026, targeting an initial 20,000 barrels per day and a later phase of 50,000 barrels, with an estimated workforce of about 2,000 people and recent advertising of 61 positions across 39 job categories.
The Nairobi roadshow will allow prospective trainees, parents, employers and other stakeholders to meet MIOG-NP representatives, learn about admissions, certification options and career pathways, and explore how the expanded training aligns with the growing demand from these megaprojects.
