Senator Omtatah calls for crackdown on rogue TVET institutions
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, April 30, 2026Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah Okoiti has asked the Senate Committee on Education to table a detailed statement on the regulation and compliance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, raising alarm over what he termed growing disorder in the sub-sector.
The parliament has noted that while speaking in the Senate on Thursday, April 30, 2026, Omtatah pointed to an increasing number of institutions offering unaccredited programmes, misrepresenting certifications and international partnerships, and issuing questionable employment guarantees.
He warned that the trend is exposing students and parents to exploitation while eroding confidence in the country’s TVET system.
“Senator Okoiti Omtatah (Busia) has asked the Senate Committee on Education to submit a statement regarding the regulation and compliance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the country,” Parliament stated.
“Submitting his request in the House, Sen. Omtatah noted that there are growing concerns over the emergence of institutions offering unaccredited programmes, misrepresenting certifications and international partnerships and making questionable employment guarantees, thereby exposing students and parents to potential exploitation and undermining the integrity of the TVET subsector,” Parliament added.
Demands for accountability and data
The senator now wants the committee to provide a comprehensive account of all institutions registered and accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority, including their current accreditation status and the programmes they are approved to offer.
He is also seeking clarity on the mechanisms in place to detect and deal with non-compliant institutions, particularly those operating without accreditation or offering courses that have not been approved by regulators.
Further, Omtatah has demanded data on enforcement actions taken over the last three years, alongside a clear outline of the regulatory framework governing programme accreditation, certification and assessment processes. He wants the committee to explain what safeguards exist to prevent institutions from misrepresenting qualifications issued to learners.
Scrutiny of international partnerships
At the same time, the committee, chaired by nominated senator Betty Montet, is expected to interrogate the legal and institutional frameworks guiding partnerships between local TVET institutions and international bodies, as well as employment facilitation arrangements.
The probe will also examine licensing requirements and oversight mechanisms to ensure institutions do not mislead learners with false claims of international recognition or guaranteed job placement.