Kenya Institute of Management Begins Audit After TVETA Ordered Immediate Closure

The Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) has initiated an audit process after the country’s technical education regulator abruptly ordered the closure of all its campuses and revoked its accreditation, throwing thousands of enrolled students into deep uncertainty.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority, commonly known as TVETA, issued the accreditation revocation and campus closure notice on April 20, 2026, a move that caught many by surprise and sent shockwaves across Kenya’s professional training sector.

In a swift response, KIM issued an official press statement the same day the notice was issued, acknowledging the regulatory action and reassuring students, alumni, and partners that it was handling the matter with urgency.

The institution’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Muriithi Ndegwa, PhD, signed off on the statement, indicating KIM is now actively engaging the relevant regulatory authorities to understand and address the specific issues raised in TVETA’s public notice.

“We wish to assure our stakeholders – students, alumni, partners, and the general public – that we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness it deserves,” stated the notice in part.

It added, “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.”

For students currently enrolled across KIM’s 59 campuses nationwide, the news hit hard, raising urgent questions about ongoing classes, examination timelines, tuition fees already paid, and whether their professional qualifications would still be recognised going forward.

TVETA’s grounds for sudden closure and licence revocation of the institution were on the grounds that the institution was accredited for programmes assessed and certified by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training – Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET-CDACC), but exceeded its mandate, offering unapproved courses and unlicensed trainers.

TVETA also stated that it contravened Section 17(3), requiring board approval for programs by awarding unauthorised qualifications that did not conform to University standards, and Section 23(1) by engaging trainers lacking valid licences nationwide.

Therefore, under these grounds, TVETA declared that all certificates issued after 2018 are unrecognised for employment, education, or advancement. Among the biggest concerns were whether certificates and diplomas issued by KIM over the years remained valid and whether students currently pursuing qualifications mid-programme would have their academic progress protected regardless of the regulatory outcome.

In the institution’s defense, Dr Ndegwa leaned on the institution’s decades of legacy in his statement, reminding the public of the institution’s longstanding commitment to its founding values, noting KIM has consistently upheld “professionalism, integrity and transparency” throughout its seven decades of operation.

“Established in 1954, KIM has been at the forefront of advancing management practices and professional development in Kenya for 72 years. Throughout this period, we have remained steadfast to our commitment to professionalism, integrity, and transparency – values that continue to guide our operations and engagement with all stakeholders,” highlighted Dr Ndegwa.

He additionally made it clear that KIM intends to provide timely and transparent communication as events develop, encouraging its stakeholders to stay calm and avoid relying on unverified information circulating online.