More than 800 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions were running with expired licences by November 2025, while over 2,400 trainers were also practising without valid licences, an audit by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has revealed.
The audit of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) for the year ended June 30, 2025, found that 812 of the 2,120 registered institutions, or 38 per cent, had expired licences. A further 2,424 of the 10,893 licensed trainers, or 22 per cent, were also operating with lapsed licences.
Gathungu warned that the lapses could weaken training standards and expose the Authority to legal and reputational risks for failing to enforce compliance.
"The expired licences pose risk of: exposure to reputational risk for failing to effectively regulate and enforce compliance within the sector; the institutions offering substandard training and assessment due to unlicensed or expired practitioners remaining active," the report states.
The affected institutions are allowed to continue operating, but they and the trainers concerned were expected to complete new licence applications.
Accreditation delays since 2014
The audit also flagged weaknesses in TVETA's accreditation process, with some institutions waiting for years without receiving final decisions on their applications. It found that the Authority lacked a standard system for tracking accreditation timelines or escalating cases where applicants failed to respond.
TVETA had not set and enforced clear deadlines for responses, and its compliance and enforcement department issued notices in some cases without taking further action. The report identified 87 registered institutions that had been waiting for accreditation since 2014.
Gathungu said the delays were contrary to the TVET Act, 2013, which provides for the registration and licensing of technical training institutions. Under the law, the Authority must issue licences to applicants who meet the prescribed conditions or communicate its decisions and recommendations where applications fall short. The report concluded that failure to follow up on the applications amounted to a breach of the law.
The findings come as the government expands the TVET sector, modernises institutions and increases enrolment under President William Ruto's administration. The government has placed emphasis on practical skills, with TVET graduates expected to take up opportunities in the Affordable Housing Programme and other public and private sector areas. Graduates form a large part of the country's skilled workforce in fields such as masonry, carpentry, electrical works and plumbing.
The audit cautioned that institutions with expired licences could continue offering training without meeting the required standards, while unlicensed trainers could compromise the quality of training and assessment.
During the year under review, TVETA spent Sh174.2 million on accreditation, quality assurance and standards, of which Sh18.35 million was allocated to the accreditation of TVET institutions.
Gathungu emphasised that institutions and trainers must meet the required standards so that learners receive quality training and acquire the practical skills needed in the job market.
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