Diploma in Road Construction
The Diploma in Road Construction is a KNEC-examined programme that trains technicians in road construction methods, materials, and supervision. The course covers road design principles, earthworks, pavement construction, drainage systems, road maintenance, and project supervision 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.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 4 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 road construction materials, surveying, pavement technology, drainage design, and quality control. The programme covers both flexible and rigid pavement construction techniques.
Kenya's road infrastructure expansion under agencies like KeNHA, KURA, and KERRA has created sustained demand for qualified road construction technicians. Road construction companies, government agencies, and county governments recruit diploma holders for road project supervision and quality control.
The programme combines classroom theory with site visits, surveying fieldwork, and materials testing practicals. Students participate in road construction exercises, materials testing, and surveying. A supervised industrial attachment with a road construction company provides field experience.
Graduates work as road construction supervisors, materials technicians, and site forepersons with road construction companies, KeNHA, KURA, and county governments.
This programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) interested in road infrastructure and construction. The programme also emphasises contract management, project costing, and compliance with Kenya's road design standards as set by the Kenya National Highways Authority. Graduates can register with the National Construction Authority as road construction supervisors, enhancing their professional credibility and employability.
What you study
6 subjects- Research Methods
- Communication Skills
- Information Technology
- Project Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Statistics
Modules
10 in the programmeRoad Construction Theory I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of road construction, earthworks, road classification, and fundamentals of highway engineering for road construction technicians.
Technical Drawing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Road layout drawing, cross-section design, and technical drafting standards for highway and road construction plans and documentation.
Surveying I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Chain surveying, levelling, route surveying, and setting out techniques for road construction site layout and alignment control.
Construction Materials
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of road construction materials including aggregates, bitumen, soil, and concrete for pavement design and road building.
Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematics for road construction calculations, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry for highway engineering and surveying.
Road Construction Theory II
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Pavement construction methods, surfacing techniques, bituminous mixes, and quality control for flexible and rigid road pavements.
Plant and Equipment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Road construction machinery and equipment operation, selection, maintenance, and safety for plant used in road building projects.
Estimating and Costing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Cost estimation for road construction projects, including material quantities, labour costing, and tender preparation for road works.
Road Maintenance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Road maintenance and repair techniques, including pothole repair, resurfacing, drainage maintenance, and road rehabilitation methods.
Site Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Site organisation, safety management, quality control, and supervision of road construction works and site operations.
Specialisations
Pavement Construction
Construction of flexible and rigid road pavements including bituminous and concrete surfaces, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Road Drainage
Design and construction of road drainage systems including culverts, channels, and bridges, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Road Maintenance
Maintenance and rehabilitation of existing road infrastructure including pothole repair and resurfacing, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Road Safety and Traffic Management
Focus on road safety measures, traffic management during construction, road signage, and safety compliance within Kenyan road construction standards and regulations.
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 |
|---|---|
| Kenya's ongoing road infrastructure expansion creates steady employment opportunities. | Road construction work involves travel to remote project sites and extended periods away from home. |
| Road construction skills are transferable across East Africa's infrastructure projects. | Work is weather-dependent and may involve night shifts during road rehabilitation projects. |
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 67,189/yr public (jitimu.com). Private: unverified.
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 Road Construction or Building Technology from an accredited TVET institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Kabete National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic, Railway Training Institute.
Including Kabete National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic, Railway Training Institute.
Including Kabete National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic, Railway Training Institute.
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
4 rolesRoad Construction Supervisor
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Supervises road construction activities, managing teams and ensuring quality and safety compliance.
Materials Technician
Medium demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Tests road construction materials including soil, aggregate, bitumen, and concrete for compliance.
Site Foreperson
Medium demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 65,000
Coordinates daily road construction site operations and manages construction crews.
Road Safety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages road safety during construction, implements traffic management plans, and ensures compliance with road safety standards on construction sites.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates of the Road Construction 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
Total Station
Surveying equipmentPrimary
Surveying instrument for road alignment and level control
AutoCAD
Design softwarePrimary
CAD software for road design and cross-section drawing
Compaction Testing Equipment
Testing equipment
Equipment for testing soil and asphalt compaction density
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet for road construction quantities and costing
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
The Road Construction diploma is just theory with no practical value.
The programme emphasises hands-on practical training in workshops, laboratories, and industrial attachment, ensuring graduates are job-ready.
Graduates of this programme end up unemployed in Kenya.
Kenya's expanding sectors create steady demand for diploma holders, with opportunities in county governments, private companies, and self-employment.