ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 7(11), 352-360 352 Journal Homepage: - www.journalijar.com Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/10015 DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/10015 RESEARCH ARTICLE INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN YOUTH POLYTECHNICS IN MURANG’A, KIRINYAGA AND NAIROBI CITY COUNTIES, KENYA. Peter K. Kirika 1 , Dr.Martin Ogola 2 and Prof. John Kimemia 2 . 1. Phd Student Kenyatta University. 2. Kenyatta University. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Manuscript Info Abstract ……………………. ……………………………………………………………… Manuscript History Received: 08 September 2019 Final Accepted: 10 October 2019 Published: November 2019 Key words:- Youth polytechnics (YPs), skills development, institutional structures. Availability of adequate and relevant structures is crucial for the governance of TVET institutions. The purpose of this study was to investigate and assess the institutional structures and their effects on skills development in public youth polytechnics in Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nairobi city counties. The objectives of the study were to assess the youth polytechnics’ various institutional structures and their effects on skills development and determine the institutional capacity development requirements. The Cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. The study targeted all the 61 Public Youth Polytechnics in Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nairobi city counties. The stratified sampling method was used to select 18 polytechnics that formed the study sample. The Managers, Heads of Department, District Youth Training Officers and primary school head teachers were respondents in the study. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, interview and observation schedules. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data which was presented using both tabular and graphical formats. The study established various gaps in the institutional structures that hinder the development of appropriate skills in youth polytechnics. These included inadequate policy related to Board of management and Parents Associations, inadequate capacity and low involvement of the existing structures. These gaps led to poor management and inadequate training in youth polytechnics. The study recommends legal and policy measures including review of existing laws to enhance institutional structures of youth polytechnics for appropriate skills development. Copy Right, IJAR, 2019,. All rights reserved. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Introduction: According to Common Wealth (2013), availability of adequate structures and frameworks is a crucial issue for governance of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Appropriate structures are important in the implementation of policy. Further GIZ 2014, opines that various structures including departments provide for a deeper participation, widened responsibilities for the teaching staff and therefore a better motivated and progressive community of teachers and students. Departments are also crucial in determining their requirements. The principal and the heads of departments are supposed to manage the human resource in the most effective manner so that the staff works well in the best interests of the institution and in their own interest. However organizational structures Corresponding Author:-Peter K. Kirika. Address:-Phd Student Kenyatta University.