Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
The Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Engineering, Technology & Related cluster) that trains technicians in power systems, electronics, and control systems, commonly offered with a Power option specialisation.
Students study electrical circuits, power systems, electronics fundamentals, control systems, installation practice, and occupational health and safety, building competence for both power-sector and electronics-focused technical roles. Skills RequiredElectrical Circuit AnalysisPower Systems BasicsElectronics FundamentalsControl SystemsElectrical Installation PracticeKey SubjectsElectrical CircuitsPower SystemsElectronics FundamentalsControl SystemsElectrical Installation PracticeOccupational Health and SafetyCertificationsEnergy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Electrical Wireman's Licence pathwayEngineers Board of Kenya (EBK) Technician RegistrationSpecializationsPower Systems (Power Option)Focus on electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. Electronics and Control SystemsFocus on electronic circuits, instrumentation, and control systems. Skills RequiredControl SystemsElectrical Circuit AnalysisElectrical Installation PracticeElectronics FundamentalsPower Systems BasicsKey SubjectsElectrical CircuitsPower SystemsElectronics FundamentalsControl SystemsElectrical Installation PracticeOccupational Health and SafetySpecializationsPower Systems (Power Option)Focus on electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. Electronics and Control SystemsFocus on electronic circuits, instrumentation, and control systems.
Kenya's expanding electricity access programmes, growing electronics and telecommunications sector, and industrial base sustain consistent demand for qualified electrical and electronics technicians.
Training combines classroom electrical theory with extensive workshop practicals on wiring, circuits, and equipment, plus a supervised industrial attachment with a utility, manufacturer, or electrical contractor.
Graduates work as electrical technicians, electronics technicians, and installation/maintenance engineers' assistants for utilities, manufacturers, and electrical contracting firms, with progression into Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
The programme suits students with strong mathematics and physics grades who want a versatile technical career spanning power systems, electronics, and industrial automation.
- Duration
- 3 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 180,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 77,700
- Job market
- High
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 35 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
6 subjects- Electrical Circuits
- Power Systems
- Electronics Fundamentals
- Control Systems
- Electrical Installation Practice
- Occupational Health and Safety
Modules
10 in the programmeCommunication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Written and oral communication skills for professional workplace communication and effective correspondence.
Entrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business planning and enterprise skills for enterprise development, business planning, and venture creation skills.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electronics Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic electronic components, semiconductor devices, and circuit analysis for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electrical Installation Technology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Wiring systems and installations including circuit analysis, component testing, and system troubleshooting for electrical installations.
Electrical Circuits I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of DC and AC electrical circuits, including network theorems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Power Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Control Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of automated control systems, including open and closed-loop for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electrical Installation Practice
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical wiring and installation techniques and standards for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment / Project
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised placement with a utility, manufacturer, or electrical contractor for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Power Systems (Power Option)
Focus on electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Electronics and Control Systems
Focus on electronic circuits, instrumentation, and control systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Telecommunication Systems
Focus on telecommunication principles, signal processing, communication networks, and RF systems within the Kenyan telecommunications industry and regulatory framework.
Renewable Energy Systems
Focus on solar PV systems, wind energy, micro-hydro, and renewable energy integration within Kenyan energy sector and renewable energy regulatory frameworks.
A day as a student
Mornings typically cover electrical theory and circuit analysis, while afternoons are spent in workshops wiring circuits, testing electronic components, and practising installation and safety procedures.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Versatile qualification applicable across power, electronics, and industrial automation sectors.
- Strong demand from Kenya's growing electricity access and industrial base.
Against it
- Requires strong mathematics and physics grades, a higher bar than some other diplomas.
- Field/site work can involve exposure to electrical hazards, requiring strict safety discipline.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering 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
TVET 67K, TUK 180K/yr; Zetech 77.7K, NIBS 56.3K/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com, zetech.ac.ke)
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; utilities and electrical contractors occasionally sponsor students for attachment and employment.
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.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C-
- Alternative entry
- A craft certificate in electrical/electronics engineering from a recognised institution.
How you are assessed
3 componentsFinal Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written and practical examinations.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across electrical and electronics theory units.
Workshop Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Hands-on wiring and circuit-building assessments.
Accreditation
KUCCPS-listed diploma (Engineering, Technology & Related cluster); examined by KNEC at most public TVET colleges.
Accredited by
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's TVET qualifications framework.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesElectrical Project Engineer
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Designs and supervises electrical installation projects, manages electrical teams, and ensures compliance with Kenyan electrical standards and regulations.
Electrical Technician
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 48,000
Installs and maintains electrical systems for a utility, contractor, or industrial site.
Electronics Technician
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Tests, repairs, and maintains electronic equipment and systems.
Maintenance Engineer's Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Supports maintenance of electrical and electronic systems at an industrial facility.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as electrical technicians, electronics technicians, and installation/maintenance engineers' assistants.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Climate Change AnalystEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Career Guidance & Labour Market Information CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Climate Risk Analyst (Finance)Environmental Science11Low exposure
- Water Treatment Plant OperatorEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Drought & Famine Early-Warning AnalystEnvironmental Science13Low exposure
- Environmental Product Certification AnalystEnvironmental Science13Low exposure
- Marine & Coastal Conservation OfficerEnvironmental Science13Low exposure
- Welding & Metal FabricationEngineering15Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Multimeter
Test equipmentPrimary
Digital and analogue multimeters for measuring voltage, current, and resistance in electrical and electronic circuits.
Oscilloscope
Test equipmentPrimary
Electronic test instrument for measuring and visualising signal waveforms in electronic circuits and systems.
AutoCAD Electrical
Design software
Computer-aided design software for electrical schematic drafting, circuit design, and panel layouts.
MATLAB
Simulation software
Numerical computing software for circuit simulation, signal processing, and control system analysis.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Trainer
Training equipment
Industrial automation training equipment for programming and simulating PLC-based control systems.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Electrical and electronics engineering diploma holders can only be electricians.
Graduates work across power systems, electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, and industrial automation, not just building wiring.
A diploma alone qualifies you as a licensed electrical contractor.
Additional licensing (e.g. EPRA wireman's licence) and experience are typically required for independent electrical contracting.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.