Date of publication:

01/07/2026

Kenya

Do domestic laws and policies facilitate the recognition of diplomas, certificates and degrees obtained abroad and in areas not under the State's control, including to practice liberal professions?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

Domestic laws and policies in Kenya facilitate the recognition of refugees' foreign school diplomas, certificates, and degrees. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the Commission for University Education (CUE) are both empowered by specific legal provisions to equate and recognize qualifications obtained from accredited foreign examining bodies and universities, respectively.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), as per Section 10(2)(g) of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, No. 29 of 2012, is granted the authority to equate certificates issued by accredited foreign examining bodies with qualifications awarded by the council. Also, the Commission for University Education (CUE) is granted the authority, as per Section 5(1)(g) of the Universities Act, No. 42 of 2012, to recognize and equate degrees, diplomas, and certificates conferred or awarded by foreign universities and institutions. Furthermore, section 26(1) of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions Regulations, 2015, specifies that holders of diplomas and certificates conferred or awarded by foreign institutions may seek recognition or equating of their qualifications from the Technical and Vocational Educational and Training Authority.  The Kenya National Qualifications Authority Act mandates the Qualification Authority to establish standards for harmonization and recognition of national and foreign qualifications.

These legal provisions collectively ensure that refugees in Kenya, holding foreign school diplomas, certificates, and degrees, can seek official recognition and equivalence through established regulatory bodies.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Kenya National Examinations Council Act

    Legal provision

    Section 10.2 - Functions of the Council

    (g) In the performance of its functions under subsection (1), the Council shall have powers to equate certificates issued by accredited foreign examining bodies with the qualifications awarded by the Council.

    Universities Act, Chapter 210B

    Legal provision

    Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

    Section 5(1)(g): "The functions of the Commission shall be to— (g) recognize and equate degrees, diplomas and certificates conferred or awarded by foreign universities and institutions in accordance with the standards and guidelines set by the Commission from time to time."

    The technical and vocational education and training act

    Legal provision

    Section 26 - Recognition and Equation of Certificates and Diplomas

    Holders of diplomas and certificates conferred or awarded by foreign institutions may seek recognition or equation of their qualifications from the Authority. the Technical and Vocational Educational and Training Authority established under Section 6 of the Act.

    Kenya National Qualifications Framework Act

    Legal provision

    Section 8.1 - Alignment and Validation of Foreign Qualifications:

    Section 8(1)(n): establish standards for harmonization and recognition of national and foreign qualifications;