Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County (KNP)
An ISO-certified national polytechnic in Kitale, Kenya, offering engineering, agriculture, and business training.
The institution
Who they are, how big, and how they rank.
About
Located approximately one kilometre from Kitale town centre along Elgon Road in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, Kitale National Polytechnic is an ISO 9001:2015 certified public TVET institution. The polytechnic serves over 3,000 students and is ranked in the 'very good' category in performance contracting.
The institution offers courses from artisan to diploma level across departments including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Building and Civil Engineering, Business Studies, Computing and Informatics, Agriculture, and Hospitality. It excels in sports including hockey, football, netball, and cross country, with drama and music programmes achieving first-place positions nationally.
Accredited by TVETA and KNQA, The institution National Polytechnic is the only national polytechnic in Trans Nzoia County, serving as the primary technical training centre for Kenya's North Rift region.
The numbers
- Student to staff
- 1:20
- Scholarships
- Offered
- Mentor institution
- Eldoret National Polytechnic
Research and innovation
Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County operates a vibrant Directorate of Research, Development, Innovation and Partnerships (RDI) dedicated to applied engineering, TVET innovation, and regional economic empowerment. The Polytechnic participates actively in the annual Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) national research conferences and the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) innovation expos. Key research and innovation clusters include mechanical fabrication and automotive diagnostic engineering, electrical power installations and renewable solar solutions, civil building construction technologies, agricultural machinery adaptation, and digital ICT solutions tailored to Trans Nzoia County and national industrial demands. Through its industry incubation hub and technical trade workshops, the polytechnic transforms student and faculty prototypes into commercially viable tools for local enterprises and cooperative societies.
Accredited by
2 regulatory bodiesWhat they teach
Faculties, departments and the programmes on offer.
Admission requirements
The college requires a minimum KCSE mean grade of C- (Minus) for diploma programmes, D (Plain) for certificates, and KCPE for artisan courses. The college accepts KUCCPS-placed and self-sponsored students. Government capitation and HELB loans are available for eligible students.
Intakes
- January
- May
- September
Departments
7 listed- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Building and Civil Engineering
- Business Studies
- Computing and Informatics
- Agriculture
- Hospitality and Tourism
Courses offered
99 programmes- Artisan in Automotive Engineering
- Artisan in Building Technology
- Artisan in General Agriculture
- Artisan in Horticulture
- Artisan in Office Assistance Level Four (TVET-CDACC)
- Artisan in Welding and Fabrication
- Baking Technology Level Four (TVET-CDACC)
- Certificate in Agriculture and Community Development
- Certificate in Baking Technology
- Certificate in Building Construction
Campus and beyond
Where you would be, and who they are connected to.
On campus
- Engineering Workshops for mechanical and electrical practical training
- Well-stocked library with digital resource centre for trainees
- Computer Laboratories with internet access for ICT training
- Sports Ground with football pitch and athletics track facilities
- Agriculture Farm with crop and livestock production training facilities