Over 800 TVET institutions, 2,400 trainers operating with expired licences - Gathungu

Over 800 TVET institutions, 2,400 trainers operating with expired licences - Gathungu

Gathungu warned that the situation could weaken training standards and expose the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) to legal and reputational risks for failing to enforce compliance.

Over 800 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions were operating without valid licences by November 2025, while more than 2,400 trainers also had expired licences, an audit by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has revealed.

According to the audit report for the financial year ended June 30, 2025, 812 out of the 2,120 registered TVET institutions had expired licences, representing 38 per cent of the total number of institutions.

The report further established that 2,424 of the 10,893 licensed trainers, equivalent to 22 per cent, were also operating with expired licences, raising concerns over the regulator’s ability to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.

Gathungu warned that the situation could weaken training standards and expose the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) 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,” reads the audit.

Although the affected institutions are allowed to continue operating, they and trainers without valid licences were expected to complete new licence applications.

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The audit also exposed weaknesses in the authority’s accreditation process, with some institutions waiting for years without receiving final decisions on their applications.

A review of the procedures found that TVETA lacked a standard system for tracking accreditation timelines or escalating cases where applicants failed to respond.

The Authority had also failed to establish and enforce clear deadlines for responses, while 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 is required to issue licences to applicants who meet the prescribed conditions or communicate its decisions and recommendations where applications fail to meet the requirements.

The report noted that failure to follow up on the applications amounted to a breach of the law.

The findings raise concerns over the quality of technical training at a time when the government is expanding the sector, modernising institutions and increasing student enrolment under President William Ruto’s administration.

The government has placed emphasis on practical skills, with TVET graduates expected to take up employment opportunities in the Affordable Housing Programme and other areas in both the public and private sectors.

Graduates from the institutions form a large part of the country’s skilled workforce in fields such as masonry, carpentry, electrical works, plumbing and other practical professions.

However, the audit warned that institutions operating with expired licences could continue offering training without meeting the required quality standards. It also cautioned that unlicensed trainers or those with expired licences could compromise the quality of training and assessment.

During the financial year under review, TVETA spent Sh174.2 million on accreditation, quality assurance and standards. Of this amount, Sh18.35 million was allocated to the accreditation of TVET institutions.

Gathungu emphasised the need for institutions and trainers to meet the required standards to ensure learners receive quality training and acquire the practical skills needed in the job market.