New Gemology Facility in Taita Taveta: Goal – Becoming a Gemology Leader in a Leading Mining Nation, Bridging Skills Gap, & Eliminating the Middleman

New Gemology Facility in Taita Taveta: Goal – Becoming a Gemology Leader in a Leading Mining Nation, Bridging Skills Gap, & Eliminating the Middleman

Kenya News Agency –
Arnold Linga Masila –

The Kenyan National Government has commissioned Sh47 million (approx. $350,000 US) state-of-the-art gemology equipment at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP), the first of its kind in Kenya. As reported, the new facility aims to bridge the mining industry with the market – a skills gap in gemstone identification, grading, and valuation; a value-added project.

Equipment
The equipment supported by Young Africa Works and funding from MasterCard Foundation through Colleges and Institute in Canada (CICAN) positions Taita Taveta National Polytechnic as a centre of excellence in gemology.

“With this new equipment, the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic is now equipped to produce graduates who can meet the global standards in the gemology industry. This is an exciting step forward for the TVET sector in Kenya, an inspiring act. Remember, even if we have a university involved in this or any other, the actual skills, the actual must-do people, will come from this institution, and therefore, it is very important that we take this with the seriousness that it deserves,” Dr. Muoria stated.

Training Already
She disclosed that the polytechnic now offers gemology training at Levels 4, 5, and 6, with 34 students currently enrolled.

However, she challenged the institution to increase this number significantly, emphasising that the facility should be utilised to its full capacity.

“With only 34 students, we should be talking about 200 students using this lab, and that is how we will develop our community here and the country at large. Numbers matter,” she said.

Taita Taveta
Dr. Muoria highlighted the new equipment’s broader benefits, particularly for the region’s artisanal miners, who form the backbone of the county’s mining sector.

Taita Taveta County is home to over 40 types of high-value gemstones, including sapphire, garnets, and tourmaline. However, artisanal and small-scale miners face significant challenges, such as using traditional tools, lack of training, and limited market access.

“Through this centre of excellence in gemology, the local community, young men and women, and indeed all trainers will now be able to acquire the requisite technical training on suitable mining practices, acquire training in health and safety standards in mining, and acquire skills and knowledge on how to access competitive markets,” explained the PS, adding, I’ve just been told that we are already acquiring a requisite market in Canada, and there is nothing as good as training and doing industry with an end in mind. This is a step toward ensuring that our miners earn what they truly deserve,” she added.

Value Added – Eliminate the Middle Man
The PS called for the elimination of middlemen who exploit miners, particularly women, by paying them low prices for their hard work. She stressed the importance of ensuring that miners benefit directly from the value of their gemstones.

“To the Governor, make sure we get rid of the middlemen and brokers because those women, sisters of mine there, and the daughters will do all the work; they will bring minerals here. We’ll be able to process them, and then the brokers will sell them and make the money, and the villagers will remain poor,” she said.

A Gemology Leader in a Leading Mining Nation
Dr. Muoria noted that the global mining industry is watching Kenya’s progress, emphasising that the polytechnic’s success could position the country as a leader in the gemology sector alongside other established mining nations such as Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“We have a unique opportunity to be serious and show the world that Kenya can compete globally. This lab is a milestone, and we must make the most of it,” she said.

Closing the Gap
Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime praised the initiative, describing it as a transformative moment for the county’s mining sector. A miner himself, the Governor acknowledged the significant knowledge gap that the new equipment would address.

“This is not just a gemology workshop; it is a revenue generator for our miners and the county at large,” Governor Mwadime said, adding that, “For years, we have mined gemstones without realising their full potential. With this equipment, we can add value and create opportunities for our people.”

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