Engineering

Diploma in Electrical and Electronics

The Diploma in Electrical and Electronics is a TVET CDACC Level 6 qualification that trains students in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical power systems and electronic equipment. It is one of the most widely offered diploma programmes in Kenya, available at over 180 TVET institutions nationwide.

The curriculum covers electrical installation technology, electrical engineering principles, analogue and digital electronics, electrical measurements and fault diagnosis, solar installation systems, and programmable logic controllers. Students progress through three modules, building from foundational physical science and engineering mathematics to advanced power electronics, microcontroller technology, and electrical power transmission and distribution.

The programme is examined by KNEC under course code 2601 and accredited by TVET CDACC under qualification code 071306T4. Graduates earn the title of Electrical Technician Level 6, qualifying them for roles in power generation, transmission, building services, manufacturing, and telecommunications.

Training combines classroom theory with extensive workshop practicals, laboratory sessions, and industrial attachment. Students work with real electrical installations, motor control systems, solar PV systems, and PLC programming equipment, ensuring hands-on competency aligned with industry needs.

Graduates find employment as electrical technicians, maintenance technicians, power systems technicians, installation supervisors, and solar energy technicians. Major employers include Kenya Power, KenGen, EPRA-licensed contractors, manufacturing firms, construction companies, and telecommunications operators. Many graduates also establish electrical contracting businesses.

The programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- who have strengths in Mathematics and Physics, as well as craft certificate holders seeking to upgrade to diploma level. It provides a direct progression pathway to degree programmes in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 180,000
Private, up to: Ksh 77,700
Job market: Very 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: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Electrical Engineering Principles
Electrical Installation Technology
Analogue and Digital Electronics
Electrical Measurements and Fault Diagnosis
Solar Installation Systems
Programmable Logic Controllers
Electrical Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
Power Electronics
Microcontroller and Microprocessor Systems
Engineering Mathematics

Modules

12 in the programme

Solar Installation Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Design, installation, and maintenance of solar photovoltaic systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electrical Engineering Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamental principles of electrical circuits, including DC and AC theory for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Engineering Mathematics I, II and III
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematical foundations for engineering, including calculus for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Analogue Electronics I and II
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers semiconductor devices, amplifiers, oscillators, and operational for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electrical Measurements and Fault Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for measuring electrical quantities and diagnosing faults in for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electrical Installation Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical and theoretical aspects of electrical installation in buildings for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Control Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of automatic control systems, including open and closed-loop systems.
Electric Power Generation and Transmission
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Methods of electrical power generation, transmission systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Digital Electronics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital logic gates, combinational and sequential circuits, flip-flops for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Programmable Logic Controllers
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Programming and application of PLCs in industrial automation for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Organisation and Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of management, organisational structures, project planning for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
High voltage transmission lines, distribution networks, substations for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Power Option
Focuses on electrical power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilisation systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Electronics Option
Focuses on analogue and digital electronics, microprocessors, and communication systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Telecommunication Option
Focuses on telecommunication principles, networking, and data communication systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Instrumentation and Control
Focuses on industrial measurement, control systems, and programmable logic controllers, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day begins at 8:00 AM with a theory session on electrical principles or electronics, followed by a two-hour workshop practical where students wire circuits, test installations, or programme PLCs. Afternoons often involve engineering drawing, measurements practicals, or group projects on solar system design. Industrial attachment in the second or third year places students in real work environments with electrical contractors or manufacturing firms.

The trade offs

In its favour

One of the most employable diplomas in Kenya with demand across multiple sectors
Strong self-employment potential through electrical contracting businesses
Clear progression pathway to degree programmes in Electrical Engineering

Against it

Requires strong foundation in Mathematics and Physics
Workshop practicals require significant physical effort and safety awareness

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

Public67k to 180k

67k at Public TVET Colleges (standardised rate)180k at Technical University of Kenya (Y1 total)

Private56k to 78k

56k at NIBS College (18,750/term x 3)78k at Zetech University (38,850/sem tuition x 2)

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 67K, TUK 180K/yr; Zetech 77.7K, NIBS 56.3K/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com, zetech.ac.ke)

HELB offers loans and bursaries for TVET students. County government bursaries and constituency development funds (NG-CDF) are widely available. Some institutions offer internal scholarships for top-performing students.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan and Bursary
Universities Fund (for university-based programmes)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

2 recorded

NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
All TVET students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed programmes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Level 5 certificate in a related course with one year of continuous work experience, or equivalent qualifications as determined by KNQA.

How you are assessed

3 components

External Assessment (TVET CDACC)
External60% of the mark
Conducted by TVET CDACC for competency-based assessment
KNEC End-of-Module Examinations
Examination100% of the mark
National examinations at the end of each academic year module
Continuous Internal Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Conducted by the training provider, monitored by an internal accredited verifier

Accreditation

Accredited by TVET CDACC (Level 6, qualification code 071306T4) and examined by KNEC (course code 2601). The programme is regulated by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
Curriculum and certificationRequired
Level 6 qualification, code 071306T4
Kenya National Examinations Council
ExaminationRequired
Course code 2601
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional regulationRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Electrical Technician
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings
Maintenance Technician
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on electrical equipment in manufacturing and industrial plants
Power Systems Technician
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Works with power generation, transmission, and distribution systems at utilities like Kenya Power
Solar Energy Technician
Very high demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 55,000
Designs, installs, and maintains solar PV systems for residential and commercial clients
Electrical Installation Supervisor
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Supervises electrical installation projects on construction sites, ensuring compliance with safety standards

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in strong demand across Kenya's energy, construction, manufacturing, and telecommunications sectors. Entry-level salaries range from KSH 30,000 to KSH 60,000 per month, with experienced technicians earning KSH 60,000 to KSH 150,000+ especially at Kenya Power and KenGen.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Megger Insulation Tester
TestingPrimary
For testing insulation resistance in electrical installations
Multimeter
TestingPrimary
Digital and analogue multimeters for voltage, current, and resistance measurements
Oscilloscope
TestingPrimary
For analysing electronic signal waveforms and circuit behaviour
PLC Programming Software
Automation
Programmable Logic Controller programming for industrial automation
AutoCAD Electrical
Design
For electrical circuit design and engineering drawing

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A diploma in electrical engineering is inferior to a degree
Diploma graduates often have stronger hands-on skills and find employment faster, especially in technical roles. Many employers prefer diploma holders for technician positions.
Electrical and Electronics is only about wiring houses
The programme covers power systems, industrial automation, telecommunications, solar energy, and microcontroller programming, opening doors to diverse technical careers.