Grant grace period for compliance not closure, KIM students tell TVETA

Students from the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) have called on the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) to adopt a consultative approach following a notice on the institution’s registration and licensing status. 

The institution has been ordered to shut down all its campuses after the TVETA revoked its accreditation with immediate effect. Consequently, qualifications obtained after 2018 have been affected.

Speaking in Kisumu on behalf of the student leadership, Ojijo John said the directive has caused anxiety among learners, urging the regulator not to disrupt ongoing academic programmes.

 “KIM is not merely a college. It is a national institution established in 1954 and has, for over 70 years, been a cornerstone of management excellence in East Africa,” said Ojijo.

 “Many of the leaders driving Kenya’s economy today are products of this institution.” 

He emphasised the need to separate regulatory compliance issues from the quality of education offered, noting that students enrolled in good faith to build their careers. 

Ojijo described the TVETA notice as a call for administrative alignment rather than a failure of the institution, warning that abrupt actions could unfairly affect thousands of students. 

“Our education cannot be paused by a press release. It must be protected through collaboration and partnership,” he said.

 The students are now demanding a grace period to allow KIM to address compliance requirements, alongside a structured corrective action plan that will ensure licensing of trainers and approval of programmes without interrupting the academic calendar. 

While acknowledging TVETA’s mandate to enforce standards, Ojijo cautioned against what he termed as punitive measures, including the possibility of indefinite closure. 

“An indefinite closure would punish students for administrative gaps beyond our control,” he said. 

He urged fellow students across KIM branches nationwide to remain calm, attend classes, and rely on official communication from student leadership and management, warning against misinformation on social media.

 “Our skills are valid, our competence is unquestionable, and our collective voice is strong,” he added. 

The student leadership also expressed confidence in ongoing efforts by the institution’s management to resolve the compliance issues, pledging to remain engaged until all programmes are regularised and certifications secured. 

“KIM has survived transitions for over seven decades and will overcome this one. We are not just students, we are part of its transformation,” Ojijo said.

 In a direct appeal to the regulator, the students urged TVETA to act as a partner rather than an enforcer, arguing that closure would harm the very learners the authority is mandated to protect. 

Supporting the statement, another student, Bradley Omondi, said the institution continues to play a critical role in shaping professionals and should be supported to resolve the issues promptly. 

“This school has been here for long and we still need it to be here. Whatever challenges exist should be fixed as soon as possible so that normal programmes can continue,” he said.

This comes even as the Institution stated it's 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.