By WAKHUNGU ANDANJE
May 17, 2026| The first Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) conference ended on Saturday under the theme “A Decade of Transformation and Reimagining Qualifications in Kenya.”
The two-day conference, held at Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, was officiated by Principal Secretary for the State Department of Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, and her counterpart for the State Department for TVET, Esther Mworia, CBS.
Discussions at the launch focused on the dignity of labour, unlocking human potential, recognising competencies regardless of where they are acquired, strengthening trust between education, industry, and society, and building a globally competitive education system.
The conference brought together stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, employers, conformity assessment bodies, and regulatory agencies.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Inyangala said the State Department for Higher Education is preparing universities for the first cohort of Competency-Based Education (CBE) learners expected to be admitted in 2029. She reaffirmed the department’s commitment to quality, relevance, and inclusion in accreditation processes to build confidence and create opportunities for all learners and professionals.
The conference aimed to strengthen the national quality assurance framework, enhance global recognition of Kenyan qualifications, foster integration of academic and industry skills, and promote inclusive lifelong learning for all citizens.
Also in attendance were the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Industrialization, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, parastatal chief executives, and other invited dignitaries.