KNQA charts new era for Kenya’s qualifications system

The first-ever Kenya National Qualifications Authority conference under the theme, “A Decade of Transformation and Reimagining Qualifications in Kenya,” has ended on a high note.

The inaugural conference was officiated by the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, and her counterpart from the State Department for TVET, Esther Mworia, CBS.

The conference theme underscored the evolving role of qualifications beyond certificates and academic papers. During the launch, discussions highlighting the dignity of labour, the need to unlock human potential, recognise competencies wherever they are found, strengthen trust between education, industry, and society, and build a globally competitive education system were laid bare.

The conference brought together stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, employers, conformity assessment bodies, and regulatory agencies, all united in advancing Kenya’s qualifications and skills agenda.

According to Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the State Department for Higher Education is preparing universities for the first cohort of Competency-Based Education (CBE) learners expected to be admitted in 2029.

During the launch, Dr. Inyangala reaffirmed the State Department’s commitment to quality, relevance, and inclusion in accreditation processes to create confidence and opportunities for all learners and professionals.

The conference is committed to advancing quality, relevance, inclusion, and recognition of qualifications and skills for lifelong learning and employability.

The two-day conference, which was held at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, was mandated to strengthen the national quality assurance framework, enhance global recognition of Kenyan qualifications, foster integration of academic and industry skills, besides promoting inclusive lifelong learning for all citizens.

The conference, convened by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), brought together various stakeholders with the main aim of advancing quality, recognition, and mobility of qualifications.

Also in attendance were the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Industrialization, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, parastatal CEOs, and other invited dignitaries.