Government to Expand Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping to Boost Geoscience Training
Accompanied by Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, CS Wahome highlighted the strategic role of KISM in equipping the country with technical skills needed for economic transformation
By : Mweru Mbugua
The government has unveiled plans to expand the Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping (KISM) to increase training capacity in geoscience courses vital to Kenya’s development agenda
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 521 students at KISM on Friday, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said the expansion will allow the institute to admit and train more students in specialised fields that support national development
“KISM is a leader in geoscience and a point of reference in East and Central Africa. Students here are trained using new technologies such as remote sensing,” CS Wahome said
She noted that some of the new graduates will join government roles, while others will find opportunities in the private sector or across the region
Accompanied by Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, CS Wahome highlighted the strategic role of KISM in equipping the country with technical skills needed for economic transformation
Plans include constructing additional hostels and securing more funding from the Ministry of Education to accommodate the growing number of students
PS Korir reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening KISM’s infrastructure and academic resources, revealing that more staff will be recruited and resources from other units will be deployed to meet the institute’s expanding needs
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He noted that enrolment at KISM has doubled in recent years due to rising demand for geoscience training
KISM Director Jesse Waithaka said the institute’s curriculum aligns with Kenya’s national development priorities
“The surveying and mapping industry is dynamic and constantly shaped by advances in technology
That is why we continuously adopt the latest tools and techniques in our training,” he said
The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives from major Kenyan higher learning institutions and senior officials from Ardhi House, marking a milestone in the government’s efforts to develop technical expertise in geosciences
