The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) has revoked the accreditation of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), ordering the immediate closure of all its campuses over regulatory breaches.
In a public notice on Monday, the authority said the institution had been offering courses and issuing qualifications beyond its approved mandate, raising serious concerns about the validity of its academic programmes. TVETA warned that the institution had continued operating without proper authorisation, including awarding certificates and diplomas that fall outside its legal scope.
“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 regulator further cited non-compliance with training standards, including the engagement of trainers who lacked valid licences, as required under the law. It also flagged the offering of unapproved programmes, though it did not specify which courses were affected.
The directive effectively renders qualifications issued by KIM since 2018 invalid, placing thousands of current and former students at risk of holding certificates that may not be recognised in the job market or for further studies.
KIM, which describes itself as a non-profit business school established in 1954, offers a range of diploma, certificate and professional courses in fields such as business management, human resource management and procurement.
In response, the institution said it was reviewing the notice and engaging the regulator before taking further action.
“KIM 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 closure underscores wider concerns within Kenya’s technical and vocational education sector, where rapid expansion – particularly among private institutions- has sometimes outpaced regulatory oversight.
Authorities have in recent years prioritised technical training as a key driver of employment and economic growth, but questions over quality assurance and accreditation continue to emerge.
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