Big win for private colleges as KENAPCO secures government backing
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By John Kariuki
Nairobi, Kenya — In a major milestone for private technical education, the Kenya National Association of Private Colleges (KENAPCO) has secured key commitments from the State Department for TVET, signaling a new era of government support for private institutions.
Led by KENAPCO Chairperson Dr. Ekrah Ndung’u, the association held a consultative meeting with PS for TVET Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria and CDACC CEO, where they tabled a memorandum outlining pressing issues facing private TVETs.
Top among the resolutions was Dr. Muoria’s commitment to push for HELB funding for students in private TVET colleges — a move poised to ease financial pressure and expand access to quality training.
Private institutions will also be integrated into all capacity-building programs by the ministry, ensuring equal footing with public TVETs. The government further pledged to explore alternative student financing options, opening the door to greater inclusivity in vocational training.
Other key outcomes included:
- Recognition of private TVETs as critical stakeholders in national development.
- Assurance that institutions offering KNEC exams transition by July 2026, as KNEC phases out its examining role.
- Increased support for CDACC funding to improve curriculum implementation and assessment.
- Encouragement to adopt the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework.
Dr. Ndung’u emphasized that private colleges are ready to align with the government’s Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) model to equip youth with relevant skills and drive down unemployment.
“This is a game-changer,” she said. “Private TVETs are now firmly at the table, ready to deliver the skills Kenya needs.”
The bold steps mark a turning point for private institutions, cementing their role as key players in Kenya’s skills revolution.
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