Terry Wairimu, a videography trainee at Meru National Polytechnic (MNP), speaks with confidence that wasn’t there before. “Honestly,” she shares, “joining the videography program at Meru National Polytechnic Television was one of the best decisions I’ve made”.

Terry went from knowing “next to nothing about cameras and editing” to “actually producing professional-looking videos”. This remarkable leap, culminating in her now confidently taking on freelance projects and landing a gig with a local production house, is a reflection of transformation in technical and vocational skills training at MNP.

Her journey mirrors a broader experience of several leaners at the polytechnic college, one catalysed by a transformation in teaching learning. At the heart of this transformation, is the MNP TV, the institution’s dynamic internal media house, funded by the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP).

Students filming at the upgraded multimedia studio at Meru Polytechnic College

Before EASTRIP, the media training capabilities at MNP, while foundational, faced significant limitations. The facilities were restricted, and the equipment was outdated. Live streaming and video production often relied heavily on basic webcams, which posed considerable challenges in achieving high-quality output. This setup constrained trainees, limiting their exposure to professional-grade production workflows and restricting the scope of their creative projects.

However, the support from EASTRIP, a project funded by World Bank and the government of Kenya, aimed improving technical and vocational education across East Africa, brought about a remarkable transformation.

EASTRIP’s strategic support was instrumental in upgrading key training facilities and providing state-of-the-art equipment. The MNP TV studio now boasts a comprehensive suite of professional tools, including the industry-standard Rode Mix Cast 4 full podcasting set, a professional teleprompter for seamless on-screen delivery, and a high-end Canon C70 cinema camera complemented by a Desview teleprompter for sophisticated video production.

Trainees now have access to modern equipment currently used in the professional media industry, allowing them to learn and replicate real-world industry practices within the studio. This has bridged the gap between theory and practice for MNP’s media students.

Students can now produce high-end quality content, a direct result of the EASTRIP investment in MNP TV’s infrastructure, in stark contrast to the limitations of the past, which has ignited a new level of enthusiasm and engagement among the trainees.

The impact of this transformation was recently showcased on the national stage at the Kenya National Drama Festivals 2025. Meru National Polytechnic participated with passion and skill in the fiercely competitive modern categories: feature film, live stage broadcast, and video podcast, wining all the three categories. The epitome of the polytechnic’s success was emerging the overall winner in the live stage broadcast category. The institution also secured a commendable third position nationally in the feature film category, and a third spot in the video podcast category. This “triple triumph” across distinct media formats demonstrates the breadth of talent nurtured and the versatile nature of MNP’s media training program such as Digital Journalism.

MNP Drama Club in a Group photo with Chief Principal after winning the National Drama competition

Lizah Karimi, a Digital Journalism student, was part of the podcast team that participated in the festival. She shared her experience winning the category with her podcast titled “Internet opportunity lies”. She owes her triumph to the polytechnic’s modern multimedia studio, which helped her, and other participants gain hands-on skills training.

Having participated in other podcasts in the studio, she felt more confident when shooting the festival podcast, especially in her role as a CEO which required extra confidence. Thanks to the studio upgrade, Lizah highlighted, students were exposed to the best training infrastructure, such as high-quality cameras and editing tools. She noted that winning at the national level required high-quality presentation, which these resources enabled, leading to their top 3 finish countrywide among TVETs.

The national recognition garnered by MNP trainees in media-related categories at the Drama Festivals serves as compelling evidence of the effectiveness of MNP TV’s innovative training methodologies and forward-thinking curriculum.

The Chief Principal Mutembei Kigige, OGW, noted that the establishment of MNP TV, supported by EASTRIP project, has set a firm ground for nurturing the next generation of skilled media professionals and showcasing the diverse talents within the polytechnic.

With the continued forward-thinking vision of the MNP fraternity, who champion the integration of cutting-edge technology for innovation and development, and the sustained support of impactful initiatives like EASTRIP, the future of multimedia media education at the polytechnic is promising.

Success on such a national platform, challenges outdated perceptions of technical colleges, demonstrating that they are also vibrant hubs of creativity and artistic talent. The recognition enhances MNP’s brand image and positions it as a highly attractive choice for trainees seeking to seamlessly blend technical proficiency with creative expression in dynamic fields like digital media production and journalism. Furthermore, active participation in such festivals cultivates essential soft skills in trainees, including crucial teamwork, effective communication, and confident presentation abilities, all of which are highly valued by employers across a diverse range of industries.

By David Maingi, Communication Officer for EASTRIP at Meru Polytechnic College