Not performing well in your KCSE does not necessarily mean you have reached the end of the road in terms of your education/career.
This is because there are numerous certificate courses that you can pursue in different colleges depending on your career goals.
The good news is that most of these courses are very marketable and some earn just as good as diploma/degree courses.
And, you qualify for most certificate courses with as low as a D plain in your KCSE.
However, if you have lower than a D plain, you can first enroll for an artisan course and then upgrade to a certificate.
Having said that, here’s a list of some of the best colleges offering certificate courses in Nairobi and the courses that they offer.
Colleges in Nairobi offering certificate courses
We have listed both public and private colleges…
Kenya Online College – private
If you’re looking to pursue an online or IT-related career path, then Kenya Online College is your best choice.
The college offers a variety of certificate courses (that I will mention in a few).
One thing that makes this college stand out is its teaching approach – you get to learn through full hands-on training.
You will be taught using real-world projects, given projects to work on and be linked with local organizations for internship opportunities.
The main goal of this is to make sure that you get the necessary skills needed by the market.
Furthermore, their trainers are well-known industry professionals hence you’ll be learning from the best.
Another thing that makes the institute stand out is its industry partnerships… The college has partnered with some local companies that need fresh talent in various disciplines such as digital marketing or videography.
Also, if you’re looking to upskill or switch careers and you don’t have the time for full-time classes, you need not worry.
This is because Kenya Online College also offers online instructor-led and self-paced classes to suit your daily schedules.
With that in mind, here are the certificate courses that Kenya Online College offers:
- Certificate in Digital Marketing
- Certificate in Graphic Design
- Cisco Cybersecurity professional certificates
- Certificate in Software Engineering
- Photography and Videography
- Front-end software development
Additionally, Kenya Online College also offers training on various online jobs such as virtual assistance, social media marketing & management, blogging, and transcription among others.
The college is located at GatKim Complex, 2nd Floor, Behind Ronald Ngala Post Office, Along Temple Road.
For more information, you can contact the admissions office on 0797 532 345 or send an email to kenyaonlinecollege@gmail.com.
Railway Training Institute (RTI) – public
Established in 1956, RTI is among one of the oldest colleges in Nairobi and Kenya at large.
One important thing to note is that it’s designated as the best region for capacity building in the railway sector within Kenya and the East African region.
RTI offers the following certificate courses:
- Certificate in Civil Engineering
- Certificate in Food & Beverage
- Certificate in Logistics & Transport Management
- Certificate in Machine Tuner
- Certificate in Motor Vehicle Systems
- Certificate in Plumbing
- Certificate in Electrical Installation
- Certificate in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Certificate in Tourism Management
The institute has two campuses… The main campus is located in South B while the second campus is located in Kisumu.
For more information, you can call them on +254 20 237 8397 or email them at training@rti.ac.ke.
Kasarani Technical and Vocational College – public
This college is located 1.5km from Kamulu Shopping Center, off Kangundo Road, Kasarani.
It offers a variety of certificate courses in different disciplines, namely:
- Certificate in Plumbing
- Certificate in General Agriculture
- Certificate in Catering and Accommodation
- Certificate in Information Science
- Certificate in Social Work & Community Development
- Craft Certificate in Electrical & Electronics Engineering (Power Option)
- Craft Certificate in Automotive Engineering
- Craft Certificate in Welding & Fabrication
- Craft Certificate in Human Resource Management
- Craft Certificate in Supply Chain Management
For assistance, call them via 0716 685 054 or email them at info@kasaranitechnical.ac.ke.
Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS) – private
NIBS is a well-known and well-established college tertiary institution that has been imparting knowledge to students for over 25 years.
The institute offers several certificate courses spanning different disciplines, namely:
- Certificate in Business Management
- Certificate in Supply Chain Management
- Certificate in Catering and Accommodation Operations
- Certificate in Electrical Engineering
- Certificate in Automotive Engineering
- Certificate in ICT
- NITA Artisan Certificate in Electrical Wireman
- NITA Artisan Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics
NIBS has three campuses, namely:
- Nairobi Campus: Agro House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi
- Thika Road Campus: Thika Road, Off Exit 13, Ruiru
- Ongata Rongai Campus: Magadi Road, Ongata Rongai
Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA) – public
Managed and run by the KRA, KESRA offers training to individuals seeking to equip themselves with taxation knowledge.
Since it’s run by Kenya’s tax authority, you can rest assured that you’ll be learning from the industry’s crème de la crème.
That being so, here are their certificate courses:
- Certificate in Tax Administration
- Certificate in Customs Administration
- Certificate in Customs and Freight Logistics
The institute is located at Times Tower, Haile Selassie Avenue though they also have a campus at Westlands.
Phone: 0715 877 539 or 0794 677 299
Website: www.kesra.ac.ke
Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) – public
Having been established in 1961, KIMC is one of Kenya’s most prestigious colleges when it comes to offering journalism-related courses.
Furthermore, the institute has produced some of the big names you hear in the media and content creation industries today.
Having said that, the KIMC offers the following certificate courses:
- Certificate in Broadcast Journalism
- Certificate in Radio and Television Presentation Techniques
- Certificate in Film/Video Programs Production
- Certificate in Animation and Graphic Design
The institution is located along Uholo Road, Off Mombasa Road.
You can get in touch with the institution through 0708 262 895 or email them at info@kimc.ac.ke.
African Institute of Research and Development Studies (AIRADS College) – private
This a premier institution that prides itself in offering certificate courses to both Kenyan and international students.
Some of the certificate courses it offers are:
- Certificate in Electrical Engineering (power option)
- Certificate in Electrical Installation
- Certificate in Electrical & Electronics (Telecommunication)
- Certificate in in Welding & Fabrication
- Certificate in Plumbing
- Certificate in Printing Technology
- Certificate in Mass Communication – broadcasting, print, and digital journalism options
- Certificate in Social Work
- Certificate in Health Records with IT
- Certificate in Community Health Development
- Certificate in Hotel & Catering Management
- Certificate in Bakery Technology
- Certificate in Housekeeping & Laundry
- Certificate in Food & Beverage Management
- Certificate in Beauty Therapy
- Certificate in Hairdressing
- Certificate in Interior Design
- Certificate in Land Mapping & Surveying
Just so you know, their head office is located at Institute Plaza, 3rd and 4th Floor.
You can also call them on 0723 555 999 or mail them at info@airads.ac.ke.
Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf – public
The institute has been mandated by the State Department of Vocational and Technical Training to provide courses for youths with hearing impairment.
It offers the following certificate courses:
- Certificate in Hydroponic Farming
- Certificate in Dairy Production Management
- Certificate in Poultry Management
- Certificate in Green House Management
- Certificate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Power Option)
- Certificate in Kenya Sign Language (KSL)
- Certificate in Building Technology
- Certificate in ArchiCAD/AutoCAD
- Craft Certificate in Automotive Engineering
- Artisan Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics
- Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
- Certificate in Community Development
- Certificate in Clerical Typing
For more information, you can reach them on 0722 677 859 or by writing to them at info@kttideaf.ac.ke.
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Nairobi Campus – public
If you’re looking to pursue a medical course in Nairobi, then the best place to do this would be at KMTC.
It’s the best medical training college in Nairobi and Kenya at large.
The Nairobi campus is located Opposite Kenyatta National Hospital, along Old Mbagathi Road.
At KMTC, you can apply for the following certificate courses:
- Certificate in Community Health Assistant
- Certificate in Medical Emergency Technician
- Certificate in Health Records and Information Technology
- Certificate in Nutrition & Dietetics
- Certificate in Orthopedic Trauma Medicine
- Certificate in Medical Engineering
- Certificate in Public Health
- Certificate in Medical Emergency Technician
- Certificate in Community Health Extension Work (short course)
Just so you know, the college is among the cheapest medical colleges in Nairobi.
Parting shots on colleges in Nairobi offering certificate courses
There you go!
These are among some of the best and most prestigious colleges offering certificate courses in Nairobi.
When choosing which course to pursue, be sure to choose a marketable course that is in line with your career goals.
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Patrick is a digital marketer and web designer by profession but on the side, he talks about how to use skills to make money online. He studied Applied Statistics at the university. He’s also an avid reader and digital skills trainer. Have any questions? Connect with him on LinkedIn.