- KPC Plc's Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas National Polytechnic is scaling up pipeline welder training to meet surging demand in Kenya's energy sector
- The institution is targeting certification of more than 30 welders annually, with capacity to eventually deliver over 100 certified professionals each year
- Major projects including the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu and the South Lokichar oil development in Turkana are driving the push
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Kenya Pipeline Company Plc (KPC Plc) is expanding specialised pipeline welder training at its Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas National Polytechnic (MIOG-NP), targeting the annual certification of more than 30 welders as demand for skilled energy technicians surges across the region.
Source: UGC
The scale-up was announced on Monday, October 19, 2026, in Nairobi, where KPC Plc acting managing director and CEO Pius Mwendwa flagged off the first MIOG roadshow — an outreach initiative designed to connect prospective students, artisans and industry professionals with available technical and vocational training programmes.
Mwendwa said the institution has the capacity to certify more than 100 pipeline welders per year and positioned the polytechnic as a strategic tool for keeping Kenyan talent at home.
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"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 said in a press statement.
What is driving demand for certified welders?
Two large-scale energy investments are shaping the urgency of the expansion: the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery planned for Lamu County and the Gulf Energy-led South Lokichar oil development project in Turkana County.
Both projects are expected to require significant numbers of qualified pipeline technicians, and KPC Plc wants Kenyan professionals ready to fill those roles.
Since 2024, MIOG-NP has produced 101 certified pipeline welders, most of whom are employed at KPC, with a portion working as technical professionals abroad.
This year alone, the polytechnic graduated 10 certified welders, a figure that represents marked growth compared to fewer than ten over a decade ago.
What are other pathways?
MIOG-NP director Nancy Kosgei said the polytechnic is broadening its curriculum to include competency-based diploma and certificate programmes, short courses and internationally recognised certification aligned with standards such as ISO 9606-1.
"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," she said.
The institution is also expanding its Recognition of Prior Learning programme, which allows experienced artisans without formal qualifications to have their practical skills formally assessed and certified.
Kosgei noted that many Kenyans possess technical expertise built over years of hands-on work but lack documentation to access better opportunities.
What was KPC's profit?
In other news, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) recorded a 13% growth in profit in its first full-year results since its privatisation, reflecting its financial performance following the ownership changes.
The company also recommended a dividend payout of KSh 5.9 billion, giving shareholders an opportunity to benefit from its earnings.
Looking ahead, KPC plans to increase its annual revenue to KSh 68 billion by 2030 as it pursues growth and strengthens its position in the energy sector.
Source: TUKO.co.ke