A High Court decision stopping the planned shutdown of the Kenya Institute of Management has triggered fresh debate on how education regulators handle enforcement actions, with former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia strongly questioning the way the closure was handled.
Kobia has criticised the directive issued by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority, saying the move was sudden and failed to properly consider the impact on thousands of students studying at the institution’s campuses.
The authority had ordered the immediate closure of the Kenya Institute of Management over alleged failure to meet regulatory standards, a decision that left learners uncertain about the continuity of their studies.
“You cannot just arbitrarily close an institution like Kenya Institute of Management, which was started in 1954 and has played a critical role in awarding certificates, diplomas and professionalising management,” Kobia said.
“It is not right for the Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority to just issue a press statement saying it is closed.”
She added that even where compliance issues exist, institutions should not be shut down without following proper steps that protect students from disruption.
“The government shouldn’t take further action without exhausting due process and relocating students,” she said.
“It makes the government look bad when there is an arbitrary order that says KIM and all its colleges are closed.”
Kobia also called for urgent engagement between the institution and the Ministry of Education under Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, saying any action taken must first guarantee arrangements for affected learners.
“There should be engagement and assurances for students that they will be accommodated before such a drastic action is taken,” she said.
She noted that in similar situations within the university sector, regulators usually ensure students are moved to other institutions before closures are implemented, to avoid disruption of learning.
Drawing from her experience in government, Kobia said closures of public institutions are normally preceded by structured consultations and not sudden announcements.
“From where I sit as a former Public Service CS, there was no time an institution was closed without due process,” she said.
“Even if KIM was wrong, the government has to consider the plight of students.”
The matter has now moved to court, where High Court judge William Musyoka issued temporary orders stopping the closure and allowing learning to continue as the case is heard.
“The matter shall be mentioned on April 29, 2026, for compliance and further directions. In the meantime, there shall be a stay in terms of prayer five of the ex parte chamber summons,” the judge ruled.
The ruling has provided temporary relief to students and staff, even as the dispute highlights wider tensions between regulators and private training institutions in the country’s technical education sector.
In recent years, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority has stepped up inspections and enforcement actions, targeting institutions accused of failing to meet required training and accreditation standards.
While authorities argue that stricter enforcement protects students and improves training quality, critics say some actions are rushed and do not fully consider the consequences for learners already enrolled.
Education stakeholders warn that abrupt closures can disrupt academic calendars, strain families financially, and lead to prolonged legal battles.
The Kenya Institute of Management, one of the country’s oldest professional training institutions, has long been involved in offering management training and professional certification programmes.