Engineering

Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

The Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is a craft-level qualification examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) that equips learners with practical skills in electrical installation, maintenance, and basic electronic systems. The programme is offered under the Power Option and is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in Kenya's electrical and electronics industry.

Students develop competencies in electrical principles, electrical installation technology, electronics, micro-electronics, solar installation systems, and industrial machines and controls. The curriculum also covers technical drawing, mathematics, applied science, workshop technology, and entrepreneurship, ensuring graduates have both technical and professional skills required in the electrical engineering sector.

Kenya's energy sector is expanding rapidly with rural electrification projects, renewable energy installations, and industrial growth creating sustained demand for electrical technicians. The programme aligns with the needs of electrical contracting firms, manufacturing companies, power utilities, and solar energy companies across the country.

The programme is delivered through full-time and part-time study at technical training institutes, national polytechnics, and technical and vocational colleges across Kenya. Teaching combines classroom instruction with extensive practical sessions in electrical workshops, covering wiring, installation, fault diagnosis, and maintenance. A trade project and industrial attachment are included.

Graduates can work as electrical installation technicians, maintenance technicians, solar installation assistants, and electrical foremen in electrical contracting firms, manufacturing companies, and power utilities. Many proceed to pursue the Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Power Option).

This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of D (plain) who are interested in electrical and electronic engineering and seeking technical positions in the electrical engineering and electronics sector.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 45,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Electrical Principles I and II
Electrical Installation Technology
Electronics and Micro-Electronics
Solar Installation Systems
Industrial Machines and Controls
Electrical Maintenance and Fault Diagnosis
Technical Drawing
Workshop Technology
Applied Science and Mathematics
Electrical Design Estimating and Tendering

Modules

13 in the programme

Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications in electrical engineering, use of design software, and digital tools for electrical work.
Entrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Entrepreneurship principles and business plan development for electrical contracting enterprises.
Applied Science
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Physical science principles relevant to electrical engineering including matter, heat, and light.
Electrical Principles I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamental electrical principles including DC circuits, Ohm's law, magnetism, and electromagnetism.
Electronics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Electronic components, semiconductors, diodes, transistors, and basic electronic circuits.
Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Mathematical concepts applied in electrical engineering including algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.
Technical Drawing
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Technical drawing principles, electrical diagrams, and schematic representation of electrical circuits.
Electrical Installation Technology I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Domestic and commercial electrical installation, wiring systems, conduit work, and lighting circuits.
Solar Installation Systems
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Solar PV system design, installation, battery storage, and maintenance of solar power systems.
Electrical Principles II
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced electrical principles including AC circuits, single-phase and three-phase systems, and transformers.
Electrical Maintenance and Fault Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Preventive maintenance, fault finding, testing, and repair of electrical systems and equipment.
Industrial Machines and Controls
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Industrial motors, motor control circuits, starters, and electrical control systems for industrial applications.
Trade Project and Business Plan
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Practical electrical project applying installation and maintenance skills, with an accompanying business plan.

Specialisations

Electrical Installation
Focus on domestic, commercial, and industrial electrical wiring, installation systems, conduit work, and electrical fitting for construction projects.
Solar and Renewable Energy
Focus on solar PV installation, maintenance, and renewable energy systems including panel setup, battery storage, and basic solar system commissioning.
Electrical Maintenance
Focus on fault diagnosis, preventive maintenance, and repair of electrical systems including testing, troubleshooting, and equipment servicing.
Industrial Machines and Controls
Focus on industrial motor control, machine maintenance, and electrical control systems including starters, drives, and motor control circuits.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on electrical principles or electronics theory, followed by practical sessions in the electrical workshop where students practise wiring, circuit construction, fault diagnosis, and solar panel installation. Afternoon sessions cover technical drawing, mathematics, or workshop technology, with students producing electrical diagrams and working on electrical installation projects. Safety practices are emphasised throughout all practical sessions.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's energy sector expansion creates high demand for trained electrical technicians.
KNEC craft certificate is widely recognised and leads to EPRA wireman licensing.
Provides a pathway to Diploma in Electrical Engineering and degree programmes.
Includes solar installation skills, aligning with Kenya's renewable energy growth.

Against it

Electrical work involves safety risks and requires strict adherence to safety protocols.
Career progression to professional engineer status requires diploma and degree qualifications.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public56k to 67k

56k at Bondo Technical Training Institute67k at Kabete National Polytechnic

Private36k to 45k

36k at Kenyaplex Institute of Technology45k at Zetech University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TVET 56K-67K/yr public (campus.co.ke). KPIT 36K, Zetech 45K/yr (kpit.ac.ke, zetech.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB TVET loans of up to KES 40,000, government capitation of KES 30,000 per year through TVETA, and county government bursaries.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
TVET Capitation (Government Scholarship)
County Government Bursaries
NGAAF Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

HELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions.
Government TVET Capitation
ScholarshipKsh 30,000Kenyan
All students enrolled in public TVET institutions through KUCCPS placement.
County Government Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties enrolled in TVET programmes. Amounts vary by county.
NGAAF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Needy students from marginalised areas through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: D
Alternative entry: Relevant artisan certificate in electrical installation or equivalent qualification as recognised by KNQA.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester tests covering theory and practical electrical exercises.
KNEC Final Examination
Exam70% of the mark
National examination administered by KNEC at the end of each module, including theory and practical papers.
Trade Project and Industrial Attachment
Practicum0% of the mark
Trade project applying electrical skills and industrial attachment at an electrical firm, assessed through project evaluation and supervisor reports.

Accreditation

Examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) under the Business Technical Education Programme (BTEP) as a Craft Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Technology (Power Option). Institutions offering the programme are accredited by TVETA. Graduates may apply for EPRA wireman licensing.

Accredited by

Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory examination body for craft certificate electrical engineering qualifications under BTEP.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA)
Institutional accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering certificate programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Electrical Installation Technician
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 50,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring systems in domestic, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Electrical Maintenance Technician
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Performs preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis, and repair of electrical systems in factories and facilities.
Solar Installation Assistant
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 45,000
Assists in solar PV system installation, battery setup, and maintenance of solar power systems.
Electrical Foreman
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supervises electrical installation teams on construction sites, ensuring quality and safety compliance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as electrical installation technicians, maintenance technicians, solar installation assistants, and electrical foremen in electrical contracting firms, manufacturing companies, and power utilities across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Electrical Hand Tools
EquipmentPrimary
Pliers, screwdrivers, wire strippers, multimeters, and hand tools used in electrical installation and maintenance.
Multimeter and Testing Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Digital and analogue multimeters, insulation testers, and continuity testers for electrical fault diagnosis.
AutoCAD Electrical
Software
CAD software for producing electrical diagrams, circuit designs, and installation layouts.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Electrical engineering is too difficult for certificate-level students
The craft certificate programme is designed for KCSE D plain holders, starting with fundamentals and building progressively to practical electrical skills.
Electrical certificates only lead to wireman jobs
Graduates work as installation technicians, maintenance technicians, solar installers, and electrical foremen, with progression to diploma and degree levels.
Solar installation is a separate course
Solar installation systems are included as a core unit in the craft certificate programme, covering solar PV installation and maintenance.
There are no jobs for electrical certificate holders
Kenya's rural electrification, renewable energy expansion, and industrial growth create sustained demand for trained electrical technicians.