The committee flagged that weak regulation has allowed several institutions to operate without meeting minimum standards, putting thousands of learners’ qualifications at risk.
Some colleges reportedly lack qualified lecturers, approved curricula, adequate learning facilities, and proper governance structures, according to lawmakers who reviewed the petition.
In this regard, the committee mandated the Ministry of Education to verify the credibility of these institutions, including registration status, assess compliance, and crack the whip on colleges that will fail to meet the stipulated 90-day deadline.
Additionally, the committee further called for stronger inspection and monitoring mechanisms to prevent unregistered colleges from emerging and to shield unsuspecting students going forward.
Countrywide, theological education is delivered mainly through specialised universities and seminaries, not standalone colleges, with six chartered institutions: Africa International, Scott Christian, St Paul’s, Tangaza, Pan Africa Christian, and Kenya Highlands universities, which offer degree programmes.
Accreditation comes from the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA), which certifies numerous seminaries and TVET colleges nationwide. Moffat Bible College in Kijabe and Kenya Baptist Theological College in Limuru offer accredited diplomas.
This comes months after the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) launched a nationwide crackdown on unregistered colleges, unaccredited programmes, and unlicensed trainers, with the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) caught in the accreditation brawl, with post-2018 certificates deemed invalid, though courts temporarily blocked its closure.
The Ministry of Education also ordered legal action against unlicensed trainers, while enforcement teams shut down non-compliant colleges across Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos, with TVETA warning that unaccredited certificates hold no value and that institutions like driving schools should stop offering unauthorised technical courses.
