In the journey towards achieving a target of five million international tourists by 2027, the Tourism Fund, which is under the State Department of Tourism, is in the process of up-skilling the staff in the hospitality industry.

The Tourism Fund is sponsoring Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) training for the hospitality industry in collaboration with National Polytechnics across the country, to fill the gap of the required number of qualified personnel. 

This is according to Patrick Muthengi, a trustee at the Tourism Fund, who pointed out that most hotel workers do not have any recognition despite their expertise and experience in the industry and there is a need for them to be up-skilled and awarded certificates for recognition.

Muthengi was speaking at Kericho National Polytechnic during RPL graduation of 270 hotel industry workers drawn from Kericho and Bomet Counties.

Sammy Cheruiyot, the principal of Kericho National Polytechnic said the future of tourism in Kenya depends on the investment in the hospitality industry and Recognition of Prior Learning will close the gap for those who do not have certification.

The Tourism Fund is sponsoring the programme in food production, housekeeping and front office services with an aim of bridging skill gaps.