The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) has shut down the Initiative for Skills Empowerment college in Tigoni for operating without a license. The institution exposed students to fake training and worthless certificates. The closure forms part of a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed facilities.
TVETA, in partnership with the Limuru Sub-County security team, closed the college for breaching the TVET Act, CAP 210A. TVETA stated, "In partnership with the Limuru Sub-County security team, it has closed the 'Initiative for Skills Empowerment' college in Tigoni. The institution was operating illegally without registration, in total breach of the TVET Act CAP 210A."
The program began as a donor-funded initiative offering free skills training to youth but was taken over by a Community-Based Organisation. It started charging fees for courses such as plumbing and hairdressing without qualified tutors, curriculum, or training facilities. Students discovered their certificates were fake and unrecognised after being promised external examinations.
Kiambu County Deputy County Commissioner Harrison Mutevwa led the operation and ordered the institution to vacate the public land it occupied. He put local administrators on notice against enabling such operations.
The Tigoni shutdown follows a recent confrontation with the Kenya Institute of Management, where TVETA closed the institution for unaccredited courses. TVETA Head of Compliance Paul Wanyeki urged affected students to seek legal redress and advised all TVET learners to verify college registration on the official portal. The authority has issued a 21-day notice to other institutions to regularise or face closure, as part of a crackdown in Kiambu and Machakos counties.