Kenya’s technical education regulator has sounded the alarm over a growing number of training institutions issuing certificates they have no legal authority to award, warning that thousands of students could be paying for qualifications that count for nothing.
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) said in a recent public notice that it has observed a sharp rise in institutions duping unsuspecting members of the public with what it termed “internal certificates,” papers that carry no weight in employment, further education or any official process in Kenya.
“The Authority’s attention has been drawn to an increased number of training institutions without legal mandate to award certificates duping the public by awarding internal certificates,” the notice read.
TVETA, which operates under MoE and was established through the TVET Act, Cap 210A, said the law is clear on who can legally issue recognized certificates in the country. Under Section 17(3) of the Act, no institution can run a training programme without Board approval, and no certificate issued by an institution that has not been properly accredited, registered and licensed holds any recognition in Kenya.
The authority said that only institutions known as Recognized Qualification Awarding Bodies (QABs), have the legal mandate to issue certificates that are officially recognized. These must be authorized by an Act of Parliament or through subsidiary legislation such as Legal Notices or Legal Orders.
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In a detail likely to shock many Kenyans, TVETA confirmed that since the TVET Act came into force in 2013, not a single private TVET institution has ever been accredited as a QAB. This means that no private technical or vocational college in Kenya has the legal power to issue a nationally recognized certificate or qualification.
For a certificate to be valid, three conditions must all be met: the awarding institution must have legal authority, the course must have been approved by the training regulator, and the student must have met the minimum entry requirements for that qualification as set under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).
Certificates that fall short of these conditions are classified as internal certificates and cannot be used for job applications, career progression, licensing or education advancement.
TVETA urged all Kenyans, including students, parents, employers and guardians, to exercise due diligence before enrolling in any institution or paying any fees related to training and certification. A list of institutions with the legal mandate to award certificates is available on the TVETA website.
The authority warned that any institution found misrepresenting its legal status or issuing unauthorized certificates will face regulatory and legal action under applicable laws.
By Benedict Aoya
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