Thousands of students and graduates across the country received temporary relief after the court stopped the closure of all branches of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), a move that had been ordered by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).
The decision followed growing concern among students, parents and professionals after TVETA announced that qualifications issued by the institution from 2018 onwards would not be recognised for employment, further studies or career progression.
The directive had caused panic, especially among graduates already using their certificates in the job market.
Justice William Musyoka, sitting at the Milimani Law Courts, issued interim orders halting the revocation of accreditation and closure of the institution’s campuses as the matter proceeds in court.
The judge certified the case as urgent and directed that it first be heard ex parte, allowing the Kenya Institute of Management an opportunity to challenge the shutdown directive.
The court orders have given breathing space to the institution and brought hope to thousands who feared their academic qualifications could suddenly become worthless.
The Ministry of Education moved to calm public fears, telling the National Assembly that all certificates already issued by KIM remain valid as consultations continue over the dispute.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba told lawmakers that the ministry is engaging stakeholders and working toward a solution that protects students while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.
Ogamba said the institution had already filed an appeal against TVETA’s decision, adding that the government is pursuing a consultative process before making a final position known.
He assured Parliament that no graduate who studied at the institution should feel threatened by the ongoing dispute, stressing that certificates awarded during the contested period remain valid.
The issue sparked tough questions from Members of Parliament, who challenged the ministry over why concerns about the institution were being acted on years later, despite more than 100,000 Kenyans having obtained qualifications from KIM and many already using them to earn a living.
Some lawmakers questioned the impact the move could have had if the court had not intervened, noting that many graduates risked losing job opportunities or facing uncertainty over their professional standing.
Ogamba acknowledged the concerns and maintained that the decision by TVETA is still under review.
He told the House that no person qualified through the institution has been disenfranchised and that the government is working toward an outcome that does not unfairly punish students.
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