Craft in Nutrition and Dietetics
The Craft Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics is a KNEC Craft Certificate programme that trains students in nutrition science, meal planning, and dietary management skills. The course is examined by KNEC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn food science, balanced meal preparation, nutrition assessment, growth monitoring, community nutrition, food hygiene, and nutrition counselling support.
The curriculum covers communication skills, mathematics, science, information communication technology, entrepreneurship, and occupational safety. Core units include basic food science, balanced meal preparation, basic nutrition assessment, growth monitoring, community nutrition support, nutrition counselling support, food hygiene, basic nutrition and health, and industrial attachment in a health facility, school feeding programme, or nutrition organisation.
Kenya's health sector, including hospital nutrition departments, school feeding programmes, and community nutrition initiatives, creates demand for certified nutrition and dietetics personnel. Hospitals, schools, NGOs, and county health departments require trained nutrition assistants for dietary support, growth monitoring, and community nutrition programmes.
Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in kitchen and health facility environments. Students practice meal preparation, nutrition assessment, growth monitoring, and food hygiene under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment in hospitals, school feeding programmes, or nutrition organisations where students apply their skills in real nutrition environments.
Graduates work as nutrition assistants, dietetic assistants, growth monitoring assistants, school feeding programme assistants, and community nutrition assistants in hospitals, schools, NGOs, and county health departments. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics for specialised nutrition and dietetic management roles.
This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of D (plain) who are interested in nutrition and health and seeking technical positions in the nutrition and dietetics sector.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 82,200
- Job market
- High
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 2 months
- Average class
- 30 students
- Award
- Certificate
What you study
8 subjects- Basic Nutrition Assessment
- Balanced Meal Preparation
- Growth Monitoring
- Nutrition Counselling Support
- Food Hygiene
- Community Nutrition Support
- Basic Food Science
- Health and Nutrition
Modules
8 in the programmeBasic Nutrition and Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic nutrition concepts, food groups, and health including dietary requirements, nutritional deficiencies, and healthy eating principles.
Basic Nutrition Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Growth monitoring, weight measurement, and basic nutritional assessment including anthropometric measurement and nutritional screening.
Balanced Meal Preparation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Preparing balanced meals for different age groups including nutritional requirements, meal planning, and dietary considerations.
Growth Monitoring
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Measuring and recording child growth, MUAC, and growth charting including growth monitoring procedures and nutritional status assessment.
Nutrition Counselling Support
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Supporting nutrition counselling and education sessions including client assistance, material preparation, and basic nutrition guidance.
Food Hygiene
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Food safety, hygiene in food preparation, and safe food handling including contamination prevention and sanitary food practices.
Community Nutrition Support
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Supporting community nutrition programmes and activities including nutrition education, growth monitoring, and feeding programme support.
Basic Food Science
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Basic food composition, nutrients, and food preparation science including macronutrients, micronutrients, and food chemistry fundamentals.
Specialisations
Growth Monitoring
Specialisation in child growth monitoring and screening including MUAC measurement, growth charting, and nutritional assessment.
Community Nutrition
Focus on community nutrition support activities including nutrition education, growth monitoring, and community feeding programmes.
Clinical Nutrition Support
General nutrition support in health facilities including patient feeding assistance, dietary monitoring, and basic clinical nutrition support.
School Nutrition
Focus on school feeding programme support including meal planning, food safety, and nutrition monitoring in school environments.
A day as a student
Students attend basic theory on nutrition and food science, followed by practical sessions in meal preparation, growth monitoring, nutrition counselling support, and community nutrition activities.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Practical nutrition skills for immediate employment in health and community settings.
- High demand from community health and school feeding programmes.
- Foundation for progression to certificate, diploma, and KNDI registration.
Against it
- Does not qualify for independent nutrition practice.
- Less theoretical foundation than full certificate programmes.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences coursesAnnual 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
Pub TVET 67K, KMTC 82K/yr (educationnewshub.co.ke, kmtc.ac.ke). Pvt: unverified.
TVET government funding and HELB loans are available. Health NGOs sometimes offer sponsorships.
Funding options
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) - TVET Loans
Scholarships
4 recordedHELB TVET Loans
LoanKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.
TVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties.
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
BursaryKenyan
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain)
- Alternative entry
- Artisan Certificate in a relevant field or equivalent qualification.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCompetency-Based Practical Assessment
Practicum50% of the mark
TVET-CDACC competency assessment of practical nutrition skills.
Theory Assessment
Test20% of the mark
Written assessment of supporting nutrition knowledge.
Nutrition Projects
Project30% of the mark
Completion of meal planning and community nutrition projects.
Accreditation
Accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and certified by TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (TVET-CDACC) under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF). The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.
Accredited by
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all TVET institutions and programmes in Kenya.
TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council
NationalRequired
Examining and certifying body for competency-based programmes under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesNutrition Helper
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Support nutrition activities in health facilities and community programmes.
Growth Monitoring Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 34,000 to Ksh 58,000
Support growth monitoring and nutrition screening at clinics.
Community Nutrition Assistant
High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 65,000
Support community nutrition education and growth monitoring.
School Feeding Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 36,000 to Ksh 62,000
Support school feeding programmes and nutrition activities.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as nutrition helpers and community nutrition assistants in health facilities, schools, and community programmes across Kenya.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist Assistant (Junior)Health Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Craft in Nutrition and Dietetics are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.