NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is set to adopt a unified system for recognizing and accrediting academic and professional qualifications after MPs endorsed new regulations designed to harmonize the country’s education framework.
The National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, on Tuesday approved the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (General) Regulations, 2025, following consultations with education stakeholders.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, accompanied by Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) CEO Alice Kande and Council Chairperson Stanley Kiptis, defended the rules, saying they would “harmonize and standardize education and training, enabling portability, mobility, and recognition of qualifications” both locally and internationally.
The regulations, updated to include amendments suggested by MPs in April, seek to create a consistent classification system for all levels of education.
A key clause introduces a formal accreditation process for all qualifications, requiring foreign institutions offering awards in Kenya to obtain prior approval from the relevant regulator.
They also recognise learning acquired through informal and non-formal channels, not just conventional schooling, and introduce a national qualifications database alongside a central register of all accredited awarding bodies to curb fraud and make verification easier.
“This will strengthen the credibility of our qualifications, protect learners, and help employers confirm the authenticity of academic and training credentials,” the committee said in a statement.
MPs will now prepare a detailed report for tabling in the House, where the regulations will be debated before final approval.
If adopted, the framework will mark a major shift in how academic and professional qualifications are recognised in Kenya, potentially impacting both local graduates and foreign-trained professionals seeking work in the country.
