Why Kenya Coast National Polytechnic makes the list of favourite TVET institutions

A KCNP trainer explaining the working of a Soxhlet fat extractor. The equipment is used for both training and research.

Photo credit: KCNP

What you need to know:

  • Since its inception, KCNP has witnessed tremendous growth in the number of courses it offers as well as student enrolment. 
  • From an initial student population of 23 in 1990, the polytechnic currently accommodates over 5,000 trainees.
  • KCNP is a Qualifications Awarding Institution mandated to develop its own curriculum, train, and certify diploma and craft qualifications in line with the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) framework.

The Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP), strategically located in Mombasa town, is a regional centre of excellence in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), research and innovation.  It offers technical programmes covering artisan to diploma levels. 

Since its inception, KCNP has witnessed tremendous growth in the number of courses it offers as well as student enrolment. From an initial student population of 23 in 1990, the polytechnic currently accommodates over 5,000 trainees.

KCNP Chief Principal, Ms Mary Muthoka, says the institution has highly qualified trainers, quality training facilities and equipment, and sufficient resources, thanks to enormous support from the Government and other development partners.

KCNP was gazetted through a Legal Notice Number 88 of Schedule 29 of the TVET Act 2013 as a Qualifications Awarding Institution mandated to develop its own curriculum, train, and certify diploma and craft qualifications in line with the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) framework.  In relation to this, the Polytechnic has developed the following regular curricula, and they have been approved for implementation:

  • Port Logistics Level 6.
  • Industrial Control Installations Level 6.
  • Marine Welding and Fabrication.
  • Cruise Animation Level 5.

In addition, the polytechnic has developed short courses that run for three to six months to equip trainees with skills that meet the industry demands. They include the following:

  • Marine Painting Level 4.
  • Marine Welding Level 4.
  • Cruise Animation Level 4.
  • Marine Blasting Level 3.

Dr Esther Muoria, the Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET (left), hands over a certificate accrediting KCNP as a qualifications awarding institution, to the Chief Principal, Ms Mary Muthoka (second left).  This was in the presence of Dr Alice Kande, Ag Director General/ CEO of KNQA (right); Dr Lawrence Guantai; and James Tegeret.

Photo credit: KCNP

It is worth noting that the Polytechnic is now mandated through KNQA to launch the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, a process that involves identifying, assessing, and certifying skills and competencies acquired in non-formal training. This will help many Kenyans to get certificates that match their skills, thus helping them access employment. It will also enhance labour mobility as well as promote lifelong learning, social inclusion, and self-esteem. 

RPL is in line with the Government’s commitment to provide a platform for recognition and certification of a huge segment of the Kenyan population, mainly the youth, who have acquired various competencies through the Jua Kali sector.

Following are some notable departmental highlights at KCNP:

Hospitality and Tourism Management Department

A pastry production class in session.

Photo credit: KCNP

The Hospitality and Tourism Management Department at KCNP is identified as a centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism training. It contributes significantly to the growth of the tourism industry. 

The department offers a wide range of courses at various levels, and caters for any persons interested in acquiring knowledge and skills required to work in the large hospitality industry in Kenya and beyond the borders.

The department offers diploma courses for three years, with the entry requirement being a minimum mean Grade C– (minus) in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), or a pass in craft certificate in Catering and Accommodation, Food and Beverage, and Tourism Management.

The polytechnic also offers craft certificate courses in Food and Beverage, Tour Guiding and Travel Operations for a duration of two years. The entry requirement is a minimum of Grade D in KCSE.

There are also Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) courses examined by the TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (TVET-CDACC). The courses take six months, and entry requirement is at least a D- (minus) for Bartender (Level 4) and Pastry Cook (Level 4).

The Hospitality and Tourism Management Department offers full-time as well as short courses of two to six months, in the fields of Catering and Accommodation, Tour Guiding Operations, and Front Office Operations.

The short courses have been developed to enable anyone with an interest in working in the hotel and tourism sector or cruise service and management sector, to find a suitable course.

Graduates of KCNP will gain Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW) that the institution is offering in collaboration with Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA), to allow them to work in cruise liners.

The polytechnic has six modern restaurants and kitchens for training. We also have state-of-the-art laboratories for training pastry chefs and offering mixology courses.

The staff at the department are highly qualified, skilled and experienced, ready to offer quality training that guarantees value for money.

At KCNP, we make your dreams come true in the hospitality world.

Medical Science Department 

KCNP Medical Engineering trainees during a visit to Kenyatta National Hospital. 
 

Photo credit: KCNP

KCNP offers five competitive courses in the Medical Science Department. They are highly marketable in and outside the country, and are approved and accredited by their respective boards – Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologist Board (KMLTTB), and Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). 

The courses are:

  • Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology.
  • Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology.
  • Diploma in Medical Engineering.
  • Diploma in Community Health and Development.
  • Diploma in Medical Biotechnology.
  • Craft Certificate in Community Health and Development.
  • Craft Certificate in Medical Biotechnology.

The department has a state-of-the-art laboratory with up-to-date equipment to give students the skills required for the labour market. The trainers are competent and experienced. They are registered with the respective professional bodies.

KCNP has partnered with several health institutions where students undergo attachment within the training period, to witness the world of work.

Over the years, the department has churned out many graduates who are currently working in county hospitals, research institutions (KEMRI), NGOs, private health facilities, pharmaceutical industries, and training institutions.

Applied Sciences Department 


Trainees learn how to separate different kinds of substances out of the mixtures or concentrate materials, using a rotary evaporator.

Photo credit: KCNP

KCNP Applied Sciences Department is applauded for its achievements in the world of research and innovations. It has put the institution in the limelight at various trade and TVET fairs.

The department prides itself in having over 15 qualified PSC trainers who are graduates in varied science disciplines and pedagogy. Staff development is vibrant in the department, with members pursuing either MSc or PhD.

The department has three sections hosting six modular courses, at both craft certificate and diploma levels, as follows:

Biological Science Section 

  • Diploma in Applied Biology. 
  • Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology.

Food Science Section

  • Diploma in Food Science and Processing Technology.
  • Craft Certificate in Food Processing and Preservations Technology.

Physical Sciences Section

  • Diploma in Analytical Chemistry.
  • Craft Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology.

Graduates of these courses are marketable in research laboratories, environmental/conservation entities, food production/value addition, chemical analysis, laboratories, etc. 

The entry requirements for all the craft certificate courses are Grade D (plain) in KCSE or an equivalent qualification approved by KNQA. Successful graduates of the craft certificate course are exempted from Module I. They are admitted to Module II of the relevant diploma course should they wish to advance.

The entry requirements for the Diploma Courses is a C (plain) in KCSE or an equivalent qualification approved by KNQA. The examining body for all the courses is the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

The chemistry, physics, biology, instrumentation laboratories and food workshops are fully-equipped with state-of-the-art digital machines for both training and research. 

The machines include:

  • Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer(GCMS).
  • Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS).
  • Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectrometer (FTIR).
  • Soxhlet Fat Extraction System.
  • Kjeldahl Digestion Unit.
  • Ice Cream Maker.

The department has lined up the following projects for implementation:

  • Distillation of Water (Production).
  • Accreditation of Analytical Equipment
  • Implantation of the Course in the Blue Economy.

For more information, visit our virtual office via https://kenyacoastpoly.ac.ke/