KIM's resumption of operations after court reprieve draws mixed reactions

The Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) head office in Nairobi./FILE

Mixed reactions have followed an announcement by the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) that it has resumed normal operations after securing interim relief from the High Court in Nairobi.

The institution said it was reopening its campuses after the court suspended a directive by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) that had ordered the closure of its campuses and revoked its authority to offer diploma and certificate programmes.

Justice W. Musyoka of the Milimani High Court issued the interim orders on Wednesday after KIM filed an application under a certificate of urgency through its legal team.

The institution had sought to halt enforcement of TVETA’s directive pending the hearing and determination of the case.

In granting the orders, the court directed KIM to file its substantive motion within seven days.

The matter is scheduled for mention on April 29, when the court will review compliance and give further directions.

Following the ruling, KIM management, led by CEO Muriithi Ndegwa, welcomed the decision and notified students, stakeholders and the public that operations had resumed.

The institution said the suspension of TVETA’s April 20 revocation notice allowed it to restart academic and administrative activities across its campuses.

In a public notice, KIM stated that all academic programmes had resumed, alongside corporate training, membership services, the Company of the Year Awards, and other administrative functions.

The announcement, however, triggered a wave of reactions online, reflecting a split in public sentiment.

While some respondents welcomed the development and expressed confidence in the institution’s track record, others questioned the long-term implications of the court order and urged KIM to address regulatory concerns.

"Wonderful. Education is not politics, keep doing the great work. We have seen excellent results," one commenter said, welcoming the resumption.

Others raised concerns about the status of previously issued certificates, with one asking: "How about the certificates being revoked!? What’s the way forward about that?"

"Staying off the decision doesn’t equate to normalcy but a reprieve for a limited period of time. Sort the compliance issue," another wrote, underscoring the temporary nature of the court order.

In its revocation notice, TVETA had alleged that KIM’s accreditation—initially granted by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC)—became invalid in 2018.

The authority said this is because the institution began offering unapproved programmes and employing unlicensed trainers.

According to TVETA, these actions contravened provisions of the TVET Act, including Section 17(3) and Section 23(1), which govern programme approval and trainer accreditation.

KIM told the court that the Act does not empower the authority to revoke accreditations nor nullify qualifications.

"The Applicant has suffered immeasurable loss as a result of the Respondent's actions and unless the orders sought are granted, the harm will be irreparable," one of the affidavits sworn by Kiarie and Kariuki advocates reads.

The case now shifts to a substantive hearing that will determine whether KIM can retain its accreditation and continue offering its programmes.

Since the closure notice, KIM has consistently assured students and stakeholders of its commitment to delivering quality education as demonstrated by 72 years of its existence.

The institution said it will continue cooperating with all regulatory bodies to resolve the matter permanently.