Verifying the accreditation of your course and institution is important in Kenya, given recent cases of the closure of learning institutions and the flagging of certificates as fake.

A recent notice from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) ordered the immediate closure of all Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) campuses due to the revocation of its accreditation.

According to the TVETA, the institute was operating beyond the approval of the TVETA, offering certification for unrecognized courses.

“It has come to the attention of the Authority that the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) is offering and awarding various academic and professional programs to members of the public without accreditation. KIM was accredited to offer programs assessed and certified by TVET-CDACC,” part of the statement read.

In a separate case, the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) warned on April 20 against enrolling in unapproved nursing courses.

Course Accreditation Verification

Students enrolling at various universities are advised to visit the Commission for University Education (CUE) official website to verify the accreditation of courses and universities.

Additionally, the commission advises students to cross-check their selected programs against the list provided by CUE.

Through the approval of the program section, students can verify specific programs and the offering university by cross-referencing with the list of approved courses provided by the CUE.

Further, students who have already enrolled in universities and are already undertaking select courses can check the recognition and equivalence of qualification portal for verification.

Students with foreign qualifications can also verify whether the programs they pursued are valid by submitting their documents to the CUE.

TVETA Course Verification

Students enrolling in courses under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority verify the approval of their courses on the TVETA website, tveta.go.ke.

For verification, students are required to check whether an institution is accredited to offer the desired course and whether TVETA approves the program at that institution.

Alternatively, verification can be done through the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) at knqa.go.ke.

To verify the courses, one will be required to use the qualification alignment and validation on NQD or the recognition of prior learning (RPL) services.

Additionally, students enrolling through the placement service can check the course accreditation through the list of approved courses and institutes at the KUCCPS.

Further, one can verify a program through the institution’s registry by requesting an institution’s program accreditation certificate.

For students who have already enrolled in a learning institution and are unsure about their certificates, verification can be done through the CUE for a fee of KSh 1,000 to KSh 5,000 to obtain a verification letter.

Regulatory bodies have advised students to avoid enrolling in institutions and programs that lack accreditation and are likely diploma mills.

Course accreditation verification is important in Kenya, with recent cases of learning institutions closure and the flagging of certificates as fake.
A collage of some of Kenya’s universities, Kenyatta and Egerton university. Photo/KU/Egerton