Business

Diploma in Road Transport Management

Road Transport Management Level 6 is a TVET CDACC-accredited diploma programme listed on KUCCPS. It trains professionals in road transport operations, fleet management, transport logistics, and road transport regulation for Kenya's road transport sector.

The curriculum was developed by TVET CDACC under the CBET framework and covers transport operations management, fleet maintenance and management, transport economics, road safety management, transport regulations and compliance, logistics and supply chain integration, driver management, transport planning, and entrepreneurship in transport services.

Kenya's road transport sector is the dominant mode of freight and passenger transport, handling over 90% of cargo movement. The growing economy, expansion of trade corridors, and increasing vehicle fleet create sustained demand for qualified road transport management professionals.

Training is offered at the Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT) and Railway Training Institute, among other institutions. The programme combines classroom theory with practical sessions, industry visits, and industrial attachment at transport companies.

Graduates work as fleet managers, transport operations supervisors, logistics coordinators, road safety officers, and transport planners with transport companies, logistics firms, manufacturing companies, and government agencies, with progression routes to degree programmes in transport management or logistics.

Skills RequiredFleet Management and MaintenanceTransport Operations PlanningRoad Safety ManagementTransport Regulations and ComplianceTransport Economics and CostingDriver Management and TrainingLogistics and Supply Chain IntegrationRoute Planning and OptimisationTransport Project ManagementEntrepreneurship in TransportKey SubjectsRoad Transport Operations ManagementFleet Maintenance and ManagementTransport Economics and CostingRoad Safety and Accident PreventionTransport Regulations and

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 101,550
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: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Road Transport Operations Management
Fleet Maintenance and Management
Transport Economics and Costing
Road Safety and Accident Prevention
Transport Regulations and Compliance
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Driver Management and Training
Transport Planning and Route Optimisation
Entrepreneurship and Communication Skills
Transport Project Management

Modules

10 in the programme

Communication Skills, ICT and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Common units covering communication skills, digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Fleet Maintenance and Management
Year 1Semester 110 creditsCore
Core unit on vehicle fleet management, preventive maintenance for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Life Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Personal development and interpersonal skills for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Road Transport Operations and Regulations
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on road transport operations, traffic regulations, NTSA compliance for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Transport Economics and Costing
Year 1Semester 28 creditsCore
Core unit on transport economics, costing methods, pricing strategies for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Road Safety and Driver Management
Year 1Semester 28 creditsCore
Core unit on road safety management, accident prevention, driver training for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Logistics and Supply Chain Integration
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on integrating road transport with logistics operations for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Transport Planning and Route Optimisation
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Unit on transport planning, route optimisation, scheduling systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Transport Project Management and Industrial Attachment
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on transport project management, entrepreneurship in transport for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Fleet Management
Managing vehicle fleets including acquisition, maintenance scheduling, fuel management, and disposal, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Transport Operations Management
Planning and managing road transport operations including scheduling, routing, and dispatch, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Road Safety Management
Implementing road safety programmes, accident prevention, and compliance with NTSA regulations, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Transport Logistics Integration
Integrating road transport with broader logistics and supply chain operations for efficient cargo movement, 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 combines theory lectures on transport operations, fleet management, or transport economics with practical case studies on route planning and fleet scheduling. Students analyse transport regulations, practise cost calculations, and participate in industry visits to transport companies. Industrial attachment at a transport or logistics firm provides real-world experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Road transport handles over 90% of Kenya's freight, creating sustained high demand for transport management professionals.
Specialised training at KIHBT, the national centre of excellence for roads and transport training.
Opportunities across transport companies, logistics firms, manufacturing, and government agencies.

Against it

Transport sector can be affected by fuel price fluctuations and regulatory changes.
May involve working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with irregular hours.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public64k to 102k

64k at Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT)102k at Railway Training Institute

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

KIHBT 64,420/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com). RTI ~101,550/yr (krc.co.ke). Private: unverified.

Students are eligible for HELB TVET loans (up to KSH 40,000), government capitation (KSH 30,000/year), and county bursaries.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
Government TVET Capitation (KSH 30,000/year)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited TVET programmes.
Government TVET Capitation
GrantKsh 30,000Kenyan
All KUCCPS-placed students in public TVET institutions.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Level 5 Certificate in Road Transport Operations or related field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

CDACC External Assessment
Examination60% of the mark
External assessment conducted by TVET CDACC at the end of each unit of competency.
Internal Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment by trainers including tests, case studies, and practical exercises.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment at a transport company, assessed through supervisor reports and portfolio.

Accreditation

Accredited by the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC) under the CBET framework at Level 6. The programme is listed on KUCCPS and offered at KIHBT.

Accredited by

TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory body for CBET curriculum development, assessment and certification of road transport management programme.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Qualifications recognitionRequired
Recognises the Level 6 qualification within the Kenya National Qualifications Framework.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Fleet Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Manages vehicle fleets including maintenance scheduling, fuel management, driver allocation, and performance monitoring.
Transport Operations Supervisor
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Supervises daily transport operations including dispatch, routing, scheduling, and customer service.
Road Safety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Implements road safety programmes, conducts safety audits, and ensures compliance with NTSA regulations.
Logistics Coordinator
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinates transport and logistics operations including shipment scheduling, carrier management, and delivery tracking.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as fleet managers, transport operations supervisors, and road safety officers with transport companies, logistics firms, and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Route Planning Software
SoftwarePrimary
Software for optimising delivery routes, scheduling dispatches, and calculating transport costs.
GPS Tracking Systems
Technology
Vehicle tracking systems for real-time fleet monitoring, location tracking, and route compliance.
Fleet Management Software
SoftwarePrimary
Digital platforms for tracking vehicles, scheduling maintenance, monitoring fuel consumption, and managing driver performance.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Road transport management is just about driving trucks.
The diploma covers fleet management, transport economics, safety management, logistics integration, and regulatory compliance, not just driving.
Road transport is being replaced by rail and air.
Road transport handles over 90% of Kenya's freight and passenger movement and continues to grow with the economy.
Road transport management is the same as logistics.
While related, road transport management focuses on vehicle fleet operations and road transport regulations, while logistics covers the broader supply chain including warehousing, procurement, and distribution.