Kenya Pipeline Company PLC (KPC) has reported a 30 per cent employment absorption rate among participants of the inaugural Inuka Tech Fellowship, as the company seeks to bridge the gap between youth skills and labour market demands.
The six-month fellowship, implemented through the KPC Foundation, brought together 30 young technology professionals selected from more than 1,000 applicants for a market-led training programme focused on preparing participants for employment in Kenya’s growing digital economy.
KPC hosted the first cohort at its headquarters on September 22, 2026, where the fellows toured the company’s operations and interacted with members of its leadership team as part of their industry exposure.
According to Mumbi Ndung’u, Co-founder and Executive Director of Power Learn Project (PLP), a programme partner, 30 per cent of the trainees have already secured gainful employment.
“The programme boasts a 30 per cent absorption rate of trainees into gainful employment,” Ndung’u said.
The Inuka Tech Fellowship uses an apprenticeship-style model that combines technical training, mentorship, peer learning and practical workplace simulations. Fellows are trained in areas including Python, machine learning, dashboard development, automation tools and data storytelling.
The programme also exposes participants to real-world challenges across sectors such as energy, fintech, healthcare, logistics, retail and the public sector.
KPC Foundation Manager Rachel Gathoni said the programme was developed to address the persistent mismatch between the skills employers seek and those possessed by young jobseekers.
“Employers are saying, ‘We can’t find the right people,’ while graduates are saying, ‘There are no job opportunities.’ This is where we come in; we assess the gap and try to fill it through these programmes,” Gathoni said.
Unlike conventional training programmes that rely primarily on existing curricula, Inuka Tech begins by identifying industry skills requirements and tailoring its curriculum to address the gaps.
Participants also gain practical experience through industry attachments, hackathons and technology projects.
As part of the programme, the 30 fellows from the PLP cohort participated in a hackathon at iHub in Lavington, Nairobi, where they worked in teams to develop digital solutions addressing a KPC Foundation challenge involving programme management, beneficiary information, reporting and impact measurement.
The fellowship also incorporates global certification, masterclasses, practical training and access to professional networks through PLP’s Talent Hub ecosystem.
Upon completion, fellows are expected to be positioned for roles including Fibre Optic Technician, Operational Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Energy Analytics Specialist, Supply Chain Analyst and Predictive Analytics Engineer.
The programme has also placed emphasis on gender inclusion, with women accounting for half of the 30 fellows selected for the inaugural cohort.
KPC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Kenya Pipeline Company PLC. Established in 2016 and registered as a Charitable Trust in 2023, the Foundation oversees the company’s Corporate Social Investment initiatives, with KPC committing at least one per cent of its profits to community programmes.
KPC said the fellowship forms part of its broader commitment to youth empowerment and skills development, particularly as Kenya’s digital economy continues to create demand for specialised technology skills.
Gathoni said the programme’s model links training directly to workplace opportunities.
“The market informs the curriculum; students are trained, and thereafter they go for attachment and secure jobs,” she said.
The KPC Foundation is now seeking partnerships with organisations in sectors including finance, agriculture and technology to expand the fellowship and create additional pathways for young people to acquire market-relevant skills and access employment.
By connecting industry demand with technical training, practical experience and workplace exposure, the Inuka Tech Fellowship aims to strengthen the transition of young Kenyans from training into sustainable careers.