The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) has intensified engagements with the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA) to support the registration, accreditation and alignment of the Academy’s training programmes in lign with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).
The consultative meeting, held at the NCIA offices, brought together technical teams from KNQA and NCIA to deliberate on the requirements for registering identified NCIA qualifications within the national qualifications system. The engagement forms part of ongoing collaboration between the two institutions aimed at strengthening the quality, recognition and portability of specialised criminal investigations training in Kenya.
The National Criminal Investigations Academy is a specialised investigative training institution under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), mandated to provide professional training and capacity development in criminal investigations and related areas. The alignment of its programmes with the KNQF is therefore expected to contribute to the systematic recognition and quality assurance of specialised qualifications within Kenya’s broader education and training ecosystem.
The KNQA delegation, led by Deputy Director Mr. James Tegeret, provided detailed technical guidance on the statutory and regulatory requirements governing the registration and accreditation of qualifications under the KNQF. The discussions examined the legal and institutional instruments establishing NCIA, the scope and nature of its training programmes, and evidence relating to the Academy’s accreditation as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for the KNQA technical team to take NCIA through the accreditation and qualification-registration process, including the documentation and evidence required to demonstrate institutional compliance, programme quality and conformity with the applicable qualifications standards.
The discussions covered key areas including institutional recognition and accreditation, programme documentation, qualification design and level placement, quality assurance mechanisms, assessment arrangements and the requirements for registration of qualifications within the National Qualifications Database (NQD).
The technical session was followed by an interactive plenary during which the NCIA team raised questions and sought clarification on various aspects of the registration and accreditation process. The discussions enabled both institutions to identify areas requiring further technical attention and establish a clearer pathway towards the formal registration and alignment of NCIA qualifications.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Tegeret reaffirmed KNQA’s commitment to working collaboratively with public, private and specialised training institutions to strengthen Kenya’s qualifications ecosystem.
He noted that the alignment and registration of qualifications within the KNQF provides a structured mechanism for assuring the quality and recognition of qualifications, while enabling learners and professionals to have their competencies appropriately recognised within the national system.
“KNQA remains committed to providing technical support to institutions as they work towards aligning their qualifications with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework and applicable quality standards. Our engagement with specialised institutions such as NCIA is important in ensuring that qualifications developed for specific professional sectors are appropriately recognised within the national qualifications system,” Mr. Tegeret said.
The process is also expected to enhance the visibility and credibility of NCIA qualifications by providing a clear reference point for their level, learning outcomes and quality assurance arrangements. This will support greater confidence among employers, learners, training institutions and other stakeholders in the qualifications awarded by the Academy.
NCIA Commandant Mr. Ibrahim Jillo welcomed the engagement and expressed appreciation for KNQA’s technical support. He noted that aligning NCIA programmes with the KNQF represents a strategic milestone in strengthening the professionalisation of criminal investigations training and enhancing the recognition of qualifications attained by the Academy’s graduates.
Mr. Jillo further pointed out the importance of ensuring that specialised training programmes remain responsive to the evolving demands of criminal investigations and the wider security sector, while meeting established national quality and competency standards.
The engagement demonstrates the importance of collaboration between KNQA and specialised training institutions in strengthening Kenya’s qualifications landscape. Through such partnerships, KNQA continues to facilitate the development, registration, recognition and quality assurance of qualifications, contributing to a coherent and trusted national qualifications system.
The ongoing engagement with NCIA is expected to pave the way for further technical work towards the successful registration and alignment of the Academy’s identified qualifications within the KNQF and their eventual inclusion in the National Qualifications Database.
