In a direct and decisive move, the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) has taken aim at African International Technical College, accusing it of operating outside the bounds of professional nursing education. The Council released a formal statement on June 18, warning Kenyans that the college is misleading students by offering nursing-related programmes that are not recognised or approved.

The Council identified specific titles—Nurse Aid, Nursing Assistant, and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)—as unaccredited and therefore invalid within Kenya’s regulated healthcare framework. According to the NCK, these courses have no place in Kenya’s nursing training standards and pose a serious threat to the integrity of the profession.

Programs Without Approval Are Legally Invalid

The Council reiterated that any institution offering nursing courses without formal NCK accreditation is not only engaging in unethical conduct but is also in breach of the law. Under the Nursing Council Act, any individual or entity conducting unlicensed training risks heavy penalties. These include a fine not exceeding KSh 500,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.

This firm position underscores the Council’s commitment to safeguarding the profession from dilution and protecting the public from unqualified practitioners.

Students Urged to Confirm Accreditation Before Enrolling

To prevent further exploitation of aspiring healthcare workers, the Council has urged the public to conduct due diligence. Kenyans are encouraged to verify the accreditation status of any training institution before enrolling in any nursing or midwifery programme.

The NCK has provided a comprehensive list of approved institutions and courses on its official website, allowing prospective students to check whether a school is legally certified to offer healthcare education.

In its notice, the Council clarified that it bears no liability for damages incurred by those who fail to confirm the legitimacy of the institutions they attend. This message is not only a warning but also a call for vigilance among students and guardians.

Broader Crackdown on Educational Fraud

This revelation is not an isolated incident. In recent months, other institutions have also come under public scrutiny for similar offences. A well-known college based in Nairobi’s Pipeline Estate was previously exposed for tricking students into paying fees for non-recognised courses. That institution, although only approved for 14 programs, reportedly lured students with a wider array of “available” courses—many of which were not certified by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).

Despite offering affordable fee structures and popular programmes such as mortuary science, theatre technology, and ICT, complaints from students painted a troubling picture. Grievances included underqualified lecturers and failure to issue academic transcripts after completing multiple semesters.

The Real Cost of Unrecognised Credentials

For students and their families, enrolling in unaccredited institutions represents more than financial loss. It delays careers, invalidates qualifications, and demoralises thousands who believe they are on the right track. In professions like nursing, where lives are at stake, such deceit can be catastrophic.

The NCK’s renewed vigilance is timely and necessary. It sends a clear message to institutions: standards must be upheld, or consequences will follow.