The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) has shut down two colleges in Meru and Murang’a counties for offering unapproved Certificate in Pharmacy programmes. The closures followed a joint enforcement operation conducted with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and security agencies.
The affected institutions are Royal College of Applied Sciences in Meru and Murang’a Institute of Science and Management. Regulators said the colleges were operating in contravention of Sections 17 (1) and 17 (3) of the TVET Act, Cap 210A, while the Murang’a institution also breached Section 23 (1) of the same law.
In Meru County, the inspection team visited Royal College of Applied Sciences following reports that it was offering a Certificate in Pharmacy. The premises were found closed at the time of the visit, with no staff or learners present.
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Investigations established that the institution had been running the unapproved programme, which is not recognised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and is therefore not permitted for delivery in Kenya. Officers issued a closure notice and directed the college to immediately cease all training activities until it is duly licensed and compliant with regulatory requirements.
The enforcement exercise in Meru was led by Njoroge Kamau, Head of the TVETA Meru Office. He was accompanied by PPB regulatory officers Dr David Omungi, Dr Mutie Dominic and George Sankale, as well as TVETA officers Nixon Zavani from Compliance and Enforcement and James Momanyi from Corporate Communications. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the police were also part of the operation.
In Murang’a County, the joint team carried out a routine compliance inspection at Murang’a Institute of Science and Management. Unlike in Meru, the officers found learners on the premises enrolled in the Certificate in Pharmacy programme.
Two lecturers were teaching Human Anatomy and Organic Chemistry when the team arrived, while an administrator was also present. The programme had not been approved by either TVETA or the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
The two lecturers and the administrator were arrested and booked at Murang’a Police Station under OB No. 35/26/02/26. They are expected to face charges for contravening provisions of the TVET Act. A closure notice was subsequently issued, directing the institution to stop all training activities with immediate effect.
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TVETA said it will continue surveillance in both counties to ensure that no training takes place until full compliance is achieved. The authority reminded the public that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board only approves Degree and Diploma programmes in Pharmacy, and that no institution in Kenya is authorised to offer a Certificate in Pharmacy.
The regulator urged students and parents to verify the accreditation status of institutions and programmes before enrolling. It said the enforcement action underscores its commitment to safeguarding learners and upholding quality standards within the TVET sector.
By Benedict Aoya
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