Diploma in Corporate Governance
The Diploma in Corporate Governance is a TVET CDACC-examined, competency-based Level 6 qualification that trains graduates to support ethical, effective governance and leadership within corporate and institutional structures.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 88,200 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years (competency-based, modular), full-time, part-time, online, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 15 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cybersecurity Data Lawyer, at 9 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students work through competency units covering governance principles, board and stakeholder management, corporate ethics, risk and compliance, and organisational leadership, addressing what training providers describe as a critical governance skills gap in Kenyan institutions. Skills RequiredGovernance PrinciplesBoard and Stakeholder ManagementCorporate EthicsRisk and ComplianceOrganisational LeadershipKey SubjectsGovernance Principles and FrameworksBoard and Stakeholder ManagementCorporate EthicsRisk and Compliance ManagementOrganisational LeadershipCertificationsTVET CDACC Certificate of Competency (per unit)SpecializationsBoard and Stakeholder GovernanceFocus on supporting board processes and stakeholder engagement. Risk and ComplianceFocus on organisational risk management and regulatory compliance.
As Kenyan regulators and investors increasingly scrutinise corporate governance practices, demand has grown for governance-literate professionals who can support boards, company secretaries, and compliance functions.
Training combines short theory modules with case-study analysis of governance failures and best practice, assessed unit-by-unit against national occupational standards, often delivered online or in blended formats.
Graduates typically work as governance/compliance assistants, board support officers, and corporate affairs assistants for companies, parastatals, and NGOs, with a KNQA-aligned progression pathway into further governance or business qualifications.
The programme suits students interested in corporate ethics, leadership, and institutional accountability who want a modern, standards-based credential in a growing governance-focused career niche.
What you study
6 subjects- Governance Principles and Frameworks
- Board and Stakeholder Management
- Corporate Ethics
- Risk and Compliance Management
- Organisational Leadership
- Research Methods
Modules
11 in the programmeBoard and Stakeholder Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Supporting board processes and managing stakeholder relationships for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Accounting principles for corporate entities for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Business Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal framework for corporate governance for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Governance Principles and Frameworks
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Core theories and frameworks of corporate governance for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Corporate Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles and their application in corporate decision-making for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Risk and Compliance Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Identifying and managing organisational risk and regulatory compliance for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Corporate Secretaryship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Role and functions of corporate secretaries for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Corporate Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial management in corporate organisations for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Organisational Leadership
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Leadership principles for governance and institutional accountability for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategic planning and corporate strategy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Ethics and Governance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Corporate ethics and governance principles for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Board and Stakeholder Governance
Focus on supporting board processes and stakeholder engagement, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Risk and Compliance
Focus on organisational risk management and regulatory compliance, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Ethics and Compliance
Focus on corporate ethics programmes, compliance management, anti-corruption frameworks, and governance reporting within Kenyan regulatory and legal requirements.
Shareholder Relations
Focus on shareholder communication, investor relations, annual general meetings, and corporate disclosure requirements within Kenyan company law and capital markets regulations.
A day as a student
Learning is organised into competency units combining short theory input on governance frameworks with case-study analysis of real corporate governance successes and failures, assessed unit-by-unit.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Addresses a growing skills gap in corporate governance as Kenyan regulation and investor scrutiny increase. | Smaller, newer job market niche compared with established business or accounting diplomas. |
| Flexible online/blended delivery makes it accessible to working adults. | As a newer CBET credential, employer recognition is still building relative to established professional qualifications like CS. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 241 social 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
Traction SGB 88.2K/yr private (sgb.ac.ke). Public: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; some employers sponsor staff for governance upskilling.
Funding options
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships
2 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
Scholarships you could apply for
7 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
A relevant certificate or equivalent qualification recognised by KNQA.
When it next starts
Taught at 15 institutionsIncluding Pan Africa Christian University, Laikipia University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
Including Pan Africa Christian University, Laikipia University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
Including Pan Africa Christian University, Laikipia University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
How you are assessed
2 componentsCompetency-Based Unit Assessments
Coursework60% of the mark
Practical demonstration of competency in each governance unit.
TVET CDACC National Assessment
Examination40% of the mark
Standardised national assessment for the Level 6 qualification.
Accreditation
TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
National competency based (cbet) qualification, level 6Required
Assessed against national occupational standards for Corporate Governance, in line with KNQA requirements.
Nationally examined by TVET CDACC as a competency-based (CBET) Level 6 qualification, in line with KNQA requirements.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesGovernance/Compliance Assistant
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Supports governance documentation and compliance monitoring for an organisation.
Board Support Officer
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Assists with board meeting logistics, minutes, and stakeholder communication.
Compliance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Ensures organisational compliance with regulatory requirements, manages corporate governance practices, and supports board operations within Kenyan corporate sector.
Corporate Secretary
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Manages board meetings, corporate records, statutory compliance, and governance documentation for companies within Kenyan corporate law frameworks.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as governance/compliance assistants, board support officers, and corporate affairs assistants for companies, parastatals, and NGOs.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cybersecurity Data LawyerLaw9Low exposure
- In-House CounselLaw11Low exposure
- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Commercial Mediation SpecialistLaw15Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Office
Productivity suitePrimary
Office suite for corporate documentation and reporting
QuickBooks
Accounting softwarePrimary
Accounting software for corporate financial management
Diligent Board Software
Governance software
Board management software for corporate governance
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet for financial analysis and compliance reporting
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This qualification makes someone a company secretary.
Company secretary status requires the separate KASNEB Certified Secretaries (CS) professional qualification; this diploma supports broader governance-assistant roles.
Corporate governance is only relevant to large listed companies.
SACCOs, NGOs, parastatals, and even growing SMEs increasingly need governance-literate staff.