The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) has revoked the accreditation of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) and ordered the immediate closure of all its campuses, citing violations of training regulations and operations outside its legal mandate.
In a public notice on Monday, the regulator stated that KIM has continued to offer academic and professional programmes without proper accreditation, including the awarding of qualifications that fall outside its approved scope.
TVETA noted that the institution had been offering unapproved programmes and awarding academic qualifications in contravention of the guiding rules, raising concerns over the legitimacy of certificates issued to students.
The authority also flagged the KIM for engaging trainers without valid licences as required by the law, pointing to gaps in compliance with standards governing technical and vocational education in the country.
‘The public is hereby notified that KIM does not have the legal mandate to award qualifications. Consequently, any certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications obtained from the institution beyond 2018 are not recognised for purposes of employment, further education, or professional advancement,’ said the TVETA.
‘All KIM campuses have been closed with immediate effect,’ the notice stated, adding that enforcement action would be taken against institutions found to be operating in breach of regulatory requirements.
The institution states that it was established in 1954 as a nonprofit business school.
It offers seven diploma courses ranging from business management, human resources management, to purchasing and supplies for Sh126,000.
The college also offers eight certificate courses and 15 professional certifications.
The authority did not highlight the courses that are in breach.
KIM on Monday said it was engaging the regulator and would decide its actions later.
‘KAM is currently reviewing the contents of the notice and actively engaging the relevant regulatory authorities to address the issues raised and determine the appropriate course of action in line with the law,’ Dr Muriithi Ndegwa, KIM Chief Executive, said in a social media post.
The development effectively invalidates years of academic output from the institution, placing thousands of current and former students at risk of holding qualifications that may not be accepted in the labour market.
The closure highlights ongoing challenges in Kenya’s technical education sector, where the rapid expansion of private training institutions has at times outpaced regulatory oversight.
Over the past decade, the government has pushed for increased enrolment in technical and vocational education as part of efforts to equip young people with practical skills and reduce unemployment.
The State has identified technical training as a critical pillar in its development agenda, particularly under initiatives aimed at boosting manufacturing, construction and the informal sector. This has led to a proliferation of training centres, some of which have struggled to meet accreditation standards, raising concerns about the quality and credibility of qualifications issued.