Kenya TVET fees guide · Updated August 2026
TVET Course Fees in Kenya: What Students Actually Pay in 2026
Public TVET programmes now have a standard annual fee of KSh 67,189, including assessment charges. Here is what may still be paid separately.
Direct answer
Public TVET: KSh 67,189 per year
The standard annual fee for a public TVET programme in Kenya is KSh 67,189, effective from May 2026. The amount includes assessment charges. Government funding may reduce the institutional balance, while transport, accommodation, tools, laptops, protective clothing and attachment expenses may increase the total cost.
- Annual public fee
- Assessment included
- Funding may reduce balance
- Living costs separate
- Private fees vary
| Training route | 2026 fee position | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Public TVET programme | KSh 67,189 per year | Funding balance and personal expenses |
| County vocational training centre | Varies | County subsidy, course fee and assessment |
| Private TVET programme | Set by the institution | Whether the quotation is per term, module or full course |
| Short or licensed course | Course-specific | Tuition, examination, licence and equipment costs |
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What does the KSh 67,189 public TVET fee cover?
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba announced the consolidated KSh 67,189 annual fee for public TVET programmes. It took effect in May 2026 and includes assessment charges.
Students may still need to pay for:
- KUCCPS application, where applicable
- Transport, accommodation, meals and personal upkeep
- Tools, practical materials and protective clothing
- A laptop and internet data for some ICT courses
- Attachment transport, meals, accommodation or report printing
- Licensing charges for specialised programmes
Ask for a written breakdown
It should show the fee period, what is included and every compulsory payment made separately.
How government funding changes the amount paid
Eligible public TVET students can apply for scholarship and loan support through the Higher Education Financing portal.
Funding is not automatic after admission. The learner must apply during the relevant window and check the official allocation and disbursement status. Tuition support is sent to the institution, while upkeep is paid to the student where awarded.
Budget from confirmed figures
Do not subtract expected support until the award appears in the learner’s official funding record.
Other costs students should include
Application and admission
The KUCCPS application fee is KSh 1,500. Direct applicants should ask whether the college charges a separate application, admission or registration fee.
Tools and learning equipment
Electrical, mechanical, building, beauty and plant-operation courses may require personal tools, kits, overalls or safety footwear. ICT courses may require a suitable laptop. Ask the department for the exact list before buying anything.
Transport and accommodation
Transport calculation
Daily return fare × class days per month × months in training
KSh 200 a day for 20 class days over nine months totals KSh 36,000.
Students moving away from home should also include rent or hostel fees, deposits, meals and travel home.
Assessment, licensing and attachment
Some private and specialised programmes require examination or licensing payments outside tuition. Attachment can also create personal costs even when the college arranges the placement. Confirm who receives each payment and which official portal applies.
Current NIT course fees for 2026
Newton Institute of Technology is a private TVET institution in Migori Town. The tables show the institutional training period and compulsory charges paid separately.
ICT course fees
| Course | Institutional training | NIT fee |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Stack Software Development | 8 months | KSh 90,000 |
| Cybersecurity | 6 months | KSh 60,000 |
| Data Science and Analytics | 6 months | KSh 60,000 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 6 months | KSh 60,000 |
| Mobile Application Development | 6 months | KSh 60,000 |
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These courses are followed by a compulsory three-month industrial attachment. Students also need a suitable laptop and should budget for personal attachment expenses. Read the detailed Full-Stack Software Development and Cybersecurity guides.
Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology fees
Each Grade III course takes one year: two teaching terms followed by attachment.
| Grade III course | NIT course fee | NITA examination | Total before personal costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressing | KSh 30,000 | KSh 5,000 | KSh 35,000 |
| Beauty Therapy | KSh 30,000 | KSh 5,000 | KSh 35,000 |
| Cosmetology | KSh 30,000 | KSh 5,000 | KSh 35,000 |
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The examination fee is paid separately to NITA. Learners should also budget for a personal kit, products, transport or accommodation.
Two-month focused HDBT courses: KSh 10,000 each
Barbering, Nail Technology, Professional Makeup Artistry, Massage Technology, Hairdressing and Salon Management.
A two-month focused course is different from the one-year Grade III programme. See the NIT Hairdressing Course Fees guide for the full comparison.
Forklift and plant-operator fees
Forklift training takes one month and costs KSh 25,000. Current NTSA payments through eCitizen are KSh 550 for the Provisional Driving Licence, KSh 1,050 for test booking and KSh 750 for the interim licence. Training and NTSA charges total KSh 27,350 before personal expenses.
| Plant-operation package | NIT fee | NTSA payments | Total before personal costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 machines | KSh 65,000 | KSh 2,350 | KSh 67,350 |
| 5 machines | KSh 78,000 | KSh 2,350 | KSh 80,350 |
| 6 machines | KSh 89,000 | KSh 2,350 | KSh 91,350 |
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Read the detailed plant-operator fee breakdown and forklift training fee guide. Government portal charges can change, so confirm the amount displayed on eCitizen before paying.
Driving-school fees
| Training route | NIT training fee |
|---|---|
| Class A motorcycle | KSh 5,000 |
| One eligible Class B, C or D | KSh 12,000 |
Government examination and licensing charges are separate. Confirm the correct licence category and current portal charges before enrolling.
How to compare TVET fees correctly
Do not compare two fees unless both have a duration and a list of inclusions. A KSh 67,189 annual public fee cannot be compared directly with a KSh 25,000 one-month course or a KSh 60,000 six-month specialist programme.
- Write down the exact course and qualification level.
- Confirm the full institutional training period.
- Check whether the fee is per term, module, year or complete course.
- Add examination or licensing charges paid separately.
- Add required tools, materials or devices.
- Add transport, accommodation and attachment expenses.
- Subtract only confirmed scholarships and bursaries.
Keep any HELB loan on a separate line because it must be repaid.
Before paying a TVET college
Check the institution on the TVETA register of accredited institutions and confirm that the specific programme and assessment route are approved.
- Will every payment receive an official receipt?
- How much practical time does each learner receive?
- Does the college arrange industrial attachment?
- What happens if the intake is postponed or the student defers?
- Are any payments made directly to an examining or licensing body?
Warning signs
Pause if the college will not explain the fee period, requests payment through an unexplained personal number or guarantees government funding or employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much are public TVET fees in Kenya in 2026?
The standard annual fee is KSh 67,189, inclusive of assessment charges, effective from May 2026. Transport, accommodation, tools and other personal expenses are separate.
Is TVET education free in Kenya?
No. Scholarships and bursaries may reduce the cost, while a HELB loan can help with the immediate payment. A loan must be repaid.
Does the KSh 67,189 fee include accommodation and meals?
No. Treat accommodation, meals and transport as separate unless the institution’s written fee structure expressly includes them.
Are examination fees included?
Assessment charges are included in the KSh 67,189 public TVET fee. Private and specialised courses vary, particularly where another body handles examinations or licensing.
Is a private TVET college always more expensive?
Not necessarily. Course duration, transport, accommodation and equipment can change the final cost. Compare the complete budget and qualification, not tuition alone.
The bottom line
The main public TVET fee in 2026 is KSh 67,189 per year. What a family actually pays depends on confirmed funding and costs such as tools, transport, accommodation and attachment.
For a fair comparison, insist on a written fee structure showing the course duration, fee period, included items and separate compulsory charges.
Speak to NIT Admissions
Ask for the current course fee, training period, reporting date, entry requirements and a written list of separate costs.
Along the Migori–Sirare Highway, approximately 0.3 km opposite Rubis Filling Station.
Main sources
- Higher Education Financing portal
- KUCCPS frequently asked questions
- TVETA accredited-institution register
- Public TVET fee announcement reported on 6 March 2026
Fees, government charges, funding windows and course availability can change. Confirm the current amount and payment channel before paying.
- Prepared by
- Newton Institute of Technology Editorial Team
- Editorial review
- Elema Dibayu
- Institutional / Technical review
- Engineer Simon Barongo, Director, Newton Institute of Technology