Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered [Top 10 guide]

Last updated on July 27th, 2023 at 05:24 pm

When you’re hunting for a good college, it is good to consider factors such as college’s reputation, where they excel, the quality of teaching, the teaching faculty and facilities, etc.

Now,in Kenya, there are a ton of colleges but naturally, there are some which stand out in different fields with some being the best, in our opinion, depending on the course you want to pursue.

For example, KMTC is the absolute number 1 college in Kenya when it comes to medical related diplomas and certificates.

Likewise, Boma International Hospitality college has very good reviews from students but this time for hospitality and hotel management field.

There are many others number 1 in different and because we want to help you make an informed choice, below are some of the Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered as rated by our experts.

Go through the list and see which institution (our list includes both leading private and public colleges) will best suit you.

 

Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered

Best College in Kenya for Medical Studies

KMTC (Public)

I have already told you about KMTC being our number one pick if you want to take a medical related diploma/certificate.

They also teach quite a few excellent short courses as you will see in the list below..

Courses offered at KMTC (for KCSE graduates)

Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics

For those who want to become nutritionists

Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology

For those who want to become record management officers at public and private hospitals (not very marketable)

Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences

For those who want to become lab technicians (you will be working in medical laboratories, testing lab specimens as part of helping doctors and clinical officers diagnose what is ailing patients)

Diploma in Physiotherapy

For those who want to become physiotherapists

ALSO READ:

Is physiotherapy marketable in Kenya?

Diploma in Medical Engineering

For those who want to become technicians who will be repairing and maintaining assorted medical equipment and machines (e.g. X-ray machines)

ALSO READ:

Is medical engineering marketable in Kenya?

Medical Engineering Courses in Kenya(All you need to know)

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Diploma in Public Health

For those who want to become public health officers(under county governments)

ALSO READ:

Public health courses in Kenya [A comprehensive guide]

Is public health marketable in Kenya?

Diploma in Health Promotion

For those who want to work in specific health promotion roles(not very marketable)

 

Diploma in Medical Social Work

For those who want to become social workers specializing in medical services(Medical social workers usually focuses on the emotional and physical needs of a patient undergoing medical treatment)

Diploma in Health Counseling

For those who want to become psychologists/counselors at hospitals (you counsel patients who are recovering from trauma/terrible illnesses to give them hope)

Diploma in Community Health

For those who want to become community health workers

ALSO READ:

Is community health marketable in Kenya?

 

Certificate courses at KMTC

If you did not mean the minimum requirements for the above KMTC diplomas, you can consider the following certificate courses then upgrade later to the relevant Diploma at KMTC(where applicable).

• Certificate in Health Records& Information Technology
• Certificate in Nutrition& Dietetics
• Certificate in Medical Engineering
• Certificate in Public Health
• Certificate in Community Health Assistant
• Certificate in Medical Emergency Technician

ALSO READ:

All KMTC Certificate Courses Qualifications, Intakes, Applying

 

Best Hospitality, Tourism studies, and Catering Colleges in Kenya

Kenya Utalii College – Public

Utalii College has been one of the most globally recognized premier Hospitality/Tourism training Institution in Kenya and it is where many of Kenya’s leading chefs and other hospitality staff honed their skills.

Remember Utalii is government owned so the fee is not that expensive.

Utalii College Courses

• Hotel Management (MA)
• Travel& Tourism Management(TTM)
• Travel Operations
• Tour Guiding& Administration(TG)
• Front Office Operations(FO)
• Food Production(FP)
• House Keeping & Laundry(HL)
• Food& Beverage Service & Sales

See more

Boma International Hospitality College – Private

BIHC excels in nurturing those who want to create a thriving career in the hospitality sector and could make your dream of working in a 5-star hotel come true.

In fact, BOMA is one of the very few colleges offering internationally accepted Hospitality Management courses locally.

Courses at Boma International Hospitality College

• Swiss Diploma in International Hospitality Management
• Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts
• Certificate in Hospitality Operations
• Certificate in Culinary Operations
• International Cookery
• Pastry and Bakery
• Certificate in Baking & Patisserie
• The art of Mixology
• Coffee Barista Course

See their entry requirements here

Amboseli Institute Of Hospitality And Technology(Thika)- Private

Amboseli (in Thika) has been in operation for quite a long time and is another excellent college when it comes to hospitality.

Courses offered at Amboseli Institute Of Hospitality

• Diploma-Hospitality Management
• Certificate -Hospitality Management
• Diploma -Food Production
• Certificate -Food Production
• Diploma -Food& Beverage Sale& Service
• Certificate-Food& Beverage Sale& Service
• Diploma Pastry& Bakery
• Certificate in Pastry& Bakery
• Artisan Cookery& Bakery
• Artisan Pastry& Bakery

Download Amboseli Institute brochure

Eldoret technical training institute

ETTI(Eldoret technical training institute) is another modern and dynamic college that has been slowly gaining fame thanks to its highly rated courses and facilities in the Hospitality field.

Below are their Hospitality courses:

• Catering, Accommodation(Service & Management)
• Food& Beverage Production& Service
• Food& Beverage Management
• International Travel& Tour guiding
• International Travel& Tourism Management
• Hotel, Catering& Hospitality Management

Call 0725 818644 to learn more

 

Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered – continued

Best Beauty Colleges in Kenya

If you’re looking for a good college in Kenya for beauty courses such as cosmetology and hair dressing, we recommend you check out the following institutions.

Vera beauty and Fashion College Nairobi – private

Vera Beauty and Fashion College is one of the top beauty and fashion colleges in Kenya and a good best for courses such as beauty therapy, hairdressing, cosmetology, and the like.

You can also enroll here for barbering course in Kenya.

The main examiner is KNEC(Kenya National Examinations Council) so you are assured of getting a recognized certificate.

Please visit their website/social media handles to learn more.

Ashleys Hair and Beauty Academy – private

Owned by Terry Mungai, a veteran entrepreneur in the beauty industry in Kenya, Ashleys has some cool courses in beauty therapy, hairdressing, and even nail technology.

One advantage of studying here is getting attachment at Mungai’s  many salons in Nairobi.

Contact them using the numbers below:

• Ashleys Ruaka Campus: 0723122911
• Ashleys BuruBuru Campus:0728880986
• Ashleys NRB (CBD) Campus:0722391864
• Ashleys Nakuru Campus:0753992219
• Ashleys Nail Tech Academy(Westlands):0726465106

 

Beauty point college – private

Beauty Point College could be your other good option when it comes to hair/beauty therapy courses in Kenya.

The main campus is at at Beaver House(Tom Mboya Street), Nairobi.

Consider them if you’re looking at pursuing any of these courses:

1. Diploma in Cosmetology
2. Diploma/Certificate- Beauty Therapy
3. Diploma/Certificate- Hairdressing
4. Certificate in Barbering
5. Certificate -Nail Technology
6. Certificate -Salon Management
7. Diploma -Holistic Therapy
8. Tutor’s Training Course(if you want to become a hair and dressing tutor)

Call  0708255679 for more info.

Nyeri national polytechnic – Public

Since being upgraded to a National Polytechnic several years ago, Nyeri National Polytechnic has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the best places to study for your certificate/diploma in Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing, etc.

ALSO READ:

Nyeri Technical Training Institute Fee Structure

 

Best Kenyan colleges and courses offered –more recommendations

Best in Engineering including Best colleges offering civil engineering in Kenya

Below are some of the best colleges in Engineering in Kenya:

 

Kitale National Polytechnic – public

KNP(Kitale national polytechnic) is an ISO 9001: 2015 Certified College and has excellent training facilities for engineering programmes.

Their most popular engineering courses are:

• Diploma in Electrical& Electronic Engineering
• Diploma -Mechanical Engineering
• Diploma -Civil Engineering

ALSO READ:

List of Top Ten Polytechnics in Kenya

 

Bumbe Technical Training Institute-Public

At Bumbe TTI(Bumbe Technical Training Institute), you will get outstanding facilities for courses such as Diploma in Electrical & Electronics Engineering as well as Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Bumbe TTI is in FUNYULA (BUSIA) and you can reach them via 0736391750.

 

Kisumu National Poly-Public

We also recommend Kisumu National Polytechnic for engineering courses in Kenya including:

• Diploma – Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Diploma -Mechanical Engineering course
• Diploma -Civil Engineering

Like many of the public institutions in this Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered list, you can apply for admission to Kisumu National Poly via KUCCPS if you’d like to join them.

 

Kenya Coast Polytechnic-Public (probably one of the top 20 best colleges in Kenya in Engineering studies)

Kenya coast national polytechnic teaches these engineering courses awesomely with students passing very well consistently:

• Diploma – Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Diploma -Mechanical Engineering course
• Diploma in Building & Civil engineering
• Diploma – Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Diploma -Mechanical Engineering course
• Diploma -Civil Engineering
• Diploma-Automotive Engineering
• Telecommunication Engineering

Contact them via 0710 389 727 OR 0712 725 554

Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology(KIHBT)-Public (under state department of public works)

While KIHBT offers some of the standard engineering courses (think of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Building and Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering), the college truly outshines nearly everyone else when it comes to the Diploma in Highways Engineering.

So go there if you want to spend your life as an expert specializing in roads and Highways Engineering in Kenya.

Campuses are in Nairobi and Kisii among other locations.

Contact: Email your questions to principal@kihbt.ac.ke

Thika Technical Training Institute- Public

Also regarded highly for engineering certificates and diploma courses in Kenya is Thika Technical Training Institute.

The college is next to Mt Kenya University (Main Campus) in Thika and is one of the oldest premier technical training institutes in Kenya.

Visit Thika TTI website or reach out to them directly if you’d want to learn more about their popular engineering programs (Mechanical Engineering, Civil engineering, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering).

Mukurweini technical training institute- Public

A fairly new kid on the block that has emerged as a shining star in the TVET field is Mukurweini technical training institute in Nyeri.

Check them out here

 

PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute- Public

You will find PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute  at Riruta Satellite, Nairobi and you can choose to study there for your engineering Diploma/certificate.

ALSO READ:

PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute Fee Structure

 

Best ICT Colleges in Kenya

Below are our number one recommendations if you want to do ICT(remember ICT has many opportunities both in self-employment or in formal employment):

1. KCA University Technical College
2. Zetech College-Private
3. Laikipia East Technical And Vocational College- Public
4. Jeremiah Nyagah Technical Institute- Public
5. Sigalagala National Polytechnic- Public
6. Moringa School (for programming/coding courses only) – Private
7. Kenya Coast National Polytechnic- Public

Best Colleges for Fashion Design in Kenya

Below are my top 3 picks for students who are looking to study fashion and design course in Kenya:

• Mcensal School of Fashion Design-Private (one of the top 10 best colleges in Kenya in fashion and design studies)
• Evelyne College of Fashion Design-Private
• Delight Tailoring Fashion & Design School Nairobi-Private

READ:

Fashion and Design Schools in Kenya [Best 5 schools plus requirements]

Is fashion and design marketable in Kenya?

 

Best Colleges for CPA and Accounting courses

If you want to do CPA/ATD course in Kenya, go to either Summit Institute of Professionals-Nairobi (private) or Royal School of Business- Nairobi (private)

There are a couple of other great colleges for CPA in Kenya that you may consider across the county but the above two are superb.

ALSO READ:

CPA course in Kenya – all you need to know

Online CPA classes in Kenya –colleges offering KASNEB CPA course in Kenya online

ACCA vs CPA Kenya – which is better?

Accountancy courses in Kenya [All you need to know]

 

Best Agriculture Colleges in Kenya

If your dream career is in the agribusiness or the general agriculture industry (may be you want to become a field extension officer or a vet), these are the 2 leading institutions:

• Bukura Agricultural College- Mumias Central (Public)- Call 0706-207233
• Kenya School of Agriculture -Nyeri(Public)- Call 0115 084817

Best teaching Colleges in Kenya

I suggest you check out the following teachers colleges in Kenya if you have a passion for teaching:

• Kagumo Teachers –Secondary school teachers
• Kibabii Teachers College–Secondary school teachers
• Kibabii Secondary Diploma Teachers College- Secondary school teachers

All the three are obviously public.

Best primary teachers and ECDE Colleges (private and public)

Meanwhile, you probably will be in safe hands if you enroll in any of these colleges if you’re looking into a career as a primary school/ECDE teacher:

1. Nakuru teachers college- Nakuru (Call 0726 887015)
2. Machakos Teachers College- Machakos (Call 0700 393590)
3. Othaya teachers College- Nyeri (Call 0742 606195)
4. Kamwenja Teachers College- Nyeri (Call 0726 238 121)
5. Kaimosi Teachers’ Training College-Vihiga(Call 0705-564-121)
6. Kigari Teachers Training College-Embu(Call 0721-687772)
7. Ugenya Teachers Training College-Siaya(Call 0737297313)
8. Tambach Teachers Training College- Elgeyo Marakwet(Call 0727 705 244)

ALSO READ:

Colleges offering certificate in ECDE in Kenya

 

Best for Film and Media Studies (as well as Art and Music)

If you’re into creative arts, journalism, and fine arts, consider the following institutions:

1. Aberdares School of Music and Performing Arts –Private(Good for music training and one of the best colleges in Kenya offering certificate courses in performing arts)- call 0111 819000
2. Africa Digital Media Institute-Private(Good for courses like photography)-Call 0706 349696
3. Kenya Film School-Public(great for film production courses)-Call 0773 541512
4. Kenya Institute of Mass Communication-Public(number 1 for journalism and media studies)-Call 020 551555
5. Talanta Institute-Private(nice for music production)- Call 0734 777778
6. Buruburu Institute of Fine arts(best for fine art courses)- Call 0721 837917

ALSO READ:

Film production courses in Kenya [All you need to know]

Universities offering music courses in Kenya

Fine arts courses in Kenya [All you need to know]

Journalism courses in Kenya(Entry grades, where to study, intakes, etc)

Best Journalism colleges in Kenya (updated list)

 

Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered – final thoughts

So there goes our list of Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered including  some of the best colleges in Nairobi and some of the best public colleges in Kenya.

Do not forget that there are a significant number of new TVET colleges that are quickly catching up with the colleges in this list especially the centers of excellence in specific fields so do not ignore that small TVET in your neighborhood- it could be a gem.

ALSO READ:

Public colleges in Kenya and courses offered

Colleges offering diploma in special needs education

Colleges in Nairobi offering diploma courses

Colleges in Nairobi offering certificate courses

D plain courses in colleges in Kenya [18+courses]

Colleges and universities in Kenya :What is the difference?