Diploma in Plumbing
The Diploma in Plumbing is a KNEC-examined programme that trains technicians in plumbing systems installation, maintenance, and repair. The course covers water supply systems, drainage, sanitation, pipe fitting, plumbing design, gas systems, and safety practices across progressive modules.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 201,567 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 60,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 7 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Auto Diagnostics Technician, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in plumbing installation, pipe fitting, system design, fault diagnosis, and repair techniques. The programme covers domestic, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems, including water heating, drainage, and sanitation infrastructure.
Kenya's construction sector growth, including residential housing, commercial buildings, and public infrastructure, has created strong demand for qualified plumbing technicians. Construction companies, plumbing contractors, water companies, and facilities management firms actively recruit diploma holders.
The programme combines classroom theory with extensive workshop practicals in pipe fitting, system installation, and fault finding. Students participate in plumbing installation projects and site work. A supervised industrial attachment with a plumbing contractor or construction company provides hands-on experience.
Graduates work as plumbing technicians, plumbing supervisors, water systems technicians, and maintenance plumbers. Many establish their own plumbing services businesses serving residential and commercial clients.
This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) who enjoy practical hands-on work and have an aptitude for technical subjects.
What you study
6 subjects- Research Methods
- Communication Skills
- Information Technology
- Project Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Statistics
Modules
10 in the programmePlumbing Theory I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of plumbing systems, pipe fitting techniques, water supply fundamentals, and plumbing terminology for technicians.
Plumbing Practical I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Practical training in hand tools, pipe cutting, threading, jointing, and basic plumbing installation techniques in workshop settings.
Construction Materials
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of pipes, fittings, valves, and plumbing materials including selection criteria for different plumbing applications.
Technical Drawing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Plumbing layout drawing, pipe diagram interpretation, and technical drafting standards for water and drainage systems.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Workplace communication, technical documentation, and professional interaction for plumbing technicians on construction sites.
Plumbing Theory II
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Water supply system design, drainage layout principles, sanitary fixture installation, and flow calculations for buildings.
Site and Workshop Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Workshop organisation, tool management, site safety practices, and quality control for plumbing installation projects.
Plumbing Practical II
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Practical installation of water supply systems, drainage pipes, sanitary fixtures, and sanitation systems in buildings.
Plumbing Practical III
Year 3Semester 14 creditsCore
Advanced plumbing installation, maintenance of complex systems, fault diagnosis, and repair of water and drainage networks.
Estimating and Costing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cost estimation for plumbing installations, material quantification, pricing, and tender preparation for plumbing projects.
Specialisations
Domestic Plumbing
Installation and maintenance of plumbing systems in residential buildings, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Commercial Plumbing
Large-scale plumbing systems for commercial buildings, hospitals, and institutions, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Water Systems
Design and maintenance of water supply, drainage, and sanitation infrastructure, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Gas Fitting
Focus on gas pipe installation, gas appliance connections, gas safety, and leak detection within Kenyan gas fitting regulations and safety standards.
A day as a student
Students attend morning theory classes and spend afternoons in practical sessions, workshops, or laboratory work applying concepts learned in class.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand driven by Kenya's construction growth and urbanisation. | Plumbing work can be physically demanding and involves working in confined spaces. |
| Excellent self-employment potential as a plumbing services provider. | Exposure to wastewater and sewage systems requires strict hygiene practices. |
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/yr (jitimu.com). Goshen 42K, Equip Africa 60K/yr (goshencollege.ac.ke, eai.ac.ke)
Students can access HELB TVET loans, county government bursaries, and NG-CDF bursaries to support their studies.
Funding options
HELB loan
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed or accredited diploma programmes at recognised TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency Development Fund bursaries for needy students from the respective constituency.
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Craft Certificate in Plumbing from an accredited TVET institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding Kisii National Polytechnic, Nyeri National Polytechnic, Sigalagala National Polytechnic.
Including Kisii National Polytechnic, Nyeri National Polytechnic, Sigalagala National Polytechnic.
Including Kisii National Polytechnic, Nyeri National Polytechnic, Sigalagala National Polytechnic.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester CATs covering theory and practical components.
KNEC Module Examinations
Exam60% of the mark
National examinations administered by KNEC at the end of each module.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment report and employer assessment.
Accreditation
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering this diploma programme.
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination bodyRequired
Administers national examinations for the diploma programme at each module level.
Programmes accredited by TVETA and examined by KNEC, NITA, or CDACC in Kenya.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesPlumbing Technician
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Plumbing Supervisor
Medium demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Supervises plumbing installation teams on construction projects, ensuring quality and compliance.
Water Systems Technician
Medium demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Maintains water supply and drainage systems for water companies and facilities management firms.
Maintenance Plumber
High demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 55,000
Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on plumbing systems in hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings.
Plumbing Contractor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 85,000
Manages plumbing installation projects, supervises plumbing teams, and handles commercial plumbing contracts for construction projects in Kenya.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates of the Plumbing programme work in relevant industries across Kenya, with opportunities in both public and private sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Auto Diagnostics TechnicianTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Automotive Service AdvisorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- BlacksmithTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Boda Motorcycle MechanicTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- CNC MachinistTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Construction Safety OfficerTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Crane OperatorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Custom Apparel TailorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Pipe Wrench
Plumbing toolsPrimary
Wrench for gripping and turning pipes during installation
Pipe Threader
Plumbing toolsPrimary
Tool for cutting threads on steel pipes for fittings
Pipe Inspection Camera
Diagnostic equipment
Camera for inspecting pipe interiors and blockages
Manometer
Measurement tools
Pressure gauge for testing water and gas pipe systems