India has trained more than 3,000 Kenyan professionals through its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme over the past decade, Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Ardash Swaika has said.
Swaika said Kenya's participation in the programme has grown over the years, with the country now receiving more than 400 training slots annually.
The figure of 3,000 professionals over 10 years translates to an average of about 300 Kenyan professionals benefiting from the programme each year, although the number has increased in recent years.
The training opportunities cover government ministries, county governments, the military, public institutions and other organisations.
Speaking during ITEC celebrations in Nairobi on Tuesday, Swaika said India views the programme as an investment in human resource development and its partnership with Kenya.
"For us, this is a sustained investment in the partnership with Kenya and the people who will shape this future," he said.
ITEC was established in 1964 when India was still a young nation facing significant development challenges.
Swaika said India chose to share its expertise with other developing countries on the belief that knowledge grows when it is shared.
"We believe that knowledge grows when it is shared, and an investment in one profession can benefit an entire institution, and a stronger institution can improve the lives of a vast number of people," he said.
Globally, the programme has trained more than 200,000 officials from over 160 countries over the past six decades.
Swaika said the programme currently offers nearly 400 courses at more than 100 institutions across India, providing about 10,000 fully funded training opportunities annually.
Africa has been a key beneficiary, with more than 45,000 African participants receiving ITEC training in India over the past decade, he said.
The High Commissioner said India has also expanded the programme beyond conventional training in India to include customised programmes designed around the needs of partner countries.
Among the programmes cited was smart governance training for 29 Senate officials at the National Centre for Good Governance in India in January 2025.
More recently, 25 senior Kenyan civil servants undertook a Smart Government Programme at the same institution from September 7 to 12.
Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku during Itec celebrations on Tuesday in Nairobi /HANDOUT
Public Sevice CS Geoffrey Ruku said the programme has deepened relationships between Kenya and India.
"I encourage all Kenyans to apply for these training opportunities. As a person who worked for such a similar project before, I know how important these trainings are," Ruku said.
ITEC Programme can play an important role in preparing the next generation of Kenyan professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators and public officers.
"We should particularly focus on our youth. Kenya has one of the world's youngest populations. Our future competitiveness in the global stage will depend heavily on whether we equip our youth with the knowledge and skills that are required by the emerging economy," the CS said.
India has also provided specialised training to Kenyan security agencies, including forensic training for 30 Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers in May 2025 and remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) training for 30 Kenya Police Service officials in July.
"We have gone beyond ITEC training in India to meet the requirements of our partner countries," Swaika said.
Second Secretary for Education and Culture at the High Commission of India NP Singh with beneficiaries of Itec, Claret Adhiambo, Radio Africa subeditor and Ruth Were, KBC digital video editor /CLARET ADHIAMBO
He said the High Commission was now open to proposals from Kenyan ministries, county governments and training institutions for customised programmes.
The training can be delivered in Kenya through the ITEC on-site programme, while the e-ITEC initiative provides virtual training.
Swaika said the newer programmes were designed to address the challenge of taking senior officials away from their institutions for extended periods.
"e-ITEC offers another opportunity and therefore I would urge heads of institutions who are here to consider these kinds of programmes," he said.
The High Commissioner also urged Kenyan ITEC alumni to use the networks formed during their training to deepen India-Kenya relations.
"My appeal to you is professional training is one part, but what you have learned in India, what friendship you have created with your Indian friends, with your own colleagues from different ministries, different countries, remain in touch," he said.
Swaika said alumni should become "pillars of India-Kenya cooperation" by applying the skills gained through the programme while maintaining professional links across countries.
