Quick answer
Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) in Nakuru now operates as Rift Valley National Polytechnic (RVNP). It offers Level 3 to Level 7 courses in nine departments. Level 6 diplomas need KCSE C-, Level 5 needs D and Level 4 needs D-. Annual fees for 2025/2026 are KSh 67,189, boarding is KSh 23,100 a term, and applications are made online with a KSh 500 fee.
Updated 18 October 2026
Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) in Nakuru now operates as Rift Valley National Polytechnic (RVNP). Its official fee structure still asks students to pay into the bank account named “Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology”, and the old rvist.ac.ke website still points to the same institution. The polytechnic describes itself as offering more than 66 courses at Higher National Diploma, diploma, craft and artisan level, with the motto “Technology for Industrialization”.
The course list below comes from RVNP’s official September 2026 intake advert, and the fees from its signed fee structure for the 2025/2026 financial year.
In this guide
Campuses
- Main Campus: Nakuru-Njoro Road, Nakuru. Accommodation is only available here.
- Nakuru City Campus
- Kericho Town Campus
Course Levels and Entry Grades
- Level 7: higher diploma or professional level, such as Mechanical Engineering and CPA.
- Level 6 (diploma): usually KCSE C- (minus), about 7 terms.
- Level 5 (craft certificate): usually KCSE D plain, about 5 terms.
- Level 4 (artisan): usually KCSE D- (minus), about 3 terms.
- Level 3: KCPE or KCSE E, for example Sheep Rearing.
A class only starts once at least 15 trainees enrol, so some courses may not run every intake.
Courses by Department (September 2026 Intake)
Agriculture and Environmental Studies
- Agripreneurship, Horticulture Farm Technology, General Agriculture and Extension, Environmental Technology and Animal Production at Level 6 (C-).
- Horticulture Farm Technology, General Agriculture and Extension, Environmental Technology and Animal Production at Level 5 (D).
- General Agriculture, Livestock Feeds Production, Horticulture Farm Technology, Aquaculture and Animal Production at Level 4 (D-).
- Sheep Rearing Level 3 (KCPE, 2 terms).
Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering Level 7, with options in Mechanical, Automotive and Agricultural Engineering.
- Automotive Engineering Technician, Mechanical Production Technology and Agricultural Engineering Technician at Levels 5 and 6.
- Welding and Fabrication Levels 4 and 5, Automotive Engineering Level 4, and Agricultural Machinery and Implements Level 4.
Building and Civil Engineering
- Civil Engineering, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Land Surveying, Building Technology and Water Engineering Technology at Level 6 (C-).
- Carpentry and Joinery, Land Surveying, Plumbing, Architectural Draftsman, Building Technology and Road Construction at Level 5 (D).
- Carpentry and Joinery and Plumbing at Level 4 (KCSE E or D-).
Business Studies
- Business Management, Cooperative Management, Human Resource Management, Office Administration, Procurement and Road Transport Management, all “with ICT”, at Levels 5 and 6.
- Accountancy plus QuickBooks and Banking and Finance plus QuickBooks at Level 6.
- Professional courses: KASNEB CAMS, ATD and CPA, HRMPEB craft and diploma in Human Resource and CHRP, and KISEB APS and CPSP.
- Office Administration and Store-keeping Management with ICT at Level 4.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control Technology and Telecommunication Engineering Technology at Level 6 (C-).
- Electrical Engineering Technology and Instrumentation and Control at Level 5 (D), and Electrical Installation at Level 4 (D-).
Health and Applied Sciences
- Medical Laboratory Level 6, examined by KMLTTB, needs KCSE C plain with C in Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths, and English or Kiswahili.
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Science Laboratory, Health Records and Information Technology, and Community Health at Levels 5 and 6, each with subject requirements.
- Applied Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Medical Engineering, Geology Technology, Petroleum and Geoscience and Food Technology at Level 6, with Level 5 options in Petroleum and Geoscience and Food Technology.
Hospitality and Tourism
- Food and Beverage, Fashion and Design, Catering and Accommodation, Tours and Travel Management and Baking Technology at Level 6.
- Food and Beverage, Catering and Accommodation, Fashion and Design, Baking Technology, Tour Guiding Operations and Cosmetology at Level 5 (D).
- Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Fashion Design, Accommodation Operations, Food and Beverage and Wildlife Tour Guiding at Level 4.
ICT
- ICT Technician, Software Developer, Library and Information Management and Computer Science at Level 6.
- ICT Technician, Software Developer and Library and Information Services at Level 5 (D).
Liberal Studies
- Social Work and Community Development and Criminal Justice Management at Levels 5 and 6.
- Care Giver Level 4 (D-).
RVNP Fees 2025/2026
| Vote head | Per year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | KSh 39,719 |
| Personnel emoluments | KSh 10,500 |
| Activity | KSh 4,800 |
| LT&T | KSh 4,200 |
| RMI | KSh 4,000 |
| Electricity, water and conservancy | KSh 3,970 |
| Total | KSh 67,189 |
- Assessment fee, excluding KNEC: KSh 15,000.
- New students also pay KSh 2,000 registration and KSh 500 for a student ID. The student union fee is KSh 500 at Level 4, KSh 700 at Level 5 and KSh 900 at Level 6, so the one-off total is KSh 3,000, KSh 3,200 or KSh 3,400.
- Boarding: KSh 23,100 per term.
- Payment: any Co-operative Bank branch, to the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology account, or M-Pesa Paybill 557642. Fees are not refundable.
Government-sponsored students can apply for scholarships and loans through the HEF portal. See our HELB help page and TVET fees guide.
How to Apply
Apply online at rvnp.ac.ke/apply and pay the non-refundable KSh 500 application fee by M-Pesa. KUCCPS-placed students can download admission letters from the polytechnic website. Use our KUCCPS cluster points calculator to check your options.
Contacts
- Address: P.O. Box 7182-20100, Nakuru (Nakuru-Njoro Road)
- Phone: 0742 442 161, 0704 666 111, 0740 666 111; office 0720 668 238
- Email: principal@rvnp.ac.ke
- Website: rvnp.ac.ke
Moving to Nakuru for studies? See our guide to the best schools in Nakuru County. Graduates can find jobs on Job in Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
Is RVIST the same as Rift Valley National Polytechnic?
Yes. The institution now operates as Rift Valley National Polytechnic, and its fees are still paid to the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology account.
How much are RVIST fees?
KSh 67,189 a year for 2025/2026, plus a KSh 15,000 assessment fee, one-off charges of KSh 3,000 to KSh 3,400, and KSh 23,100 a term for boarding.
What grade do I need for a diploma at RVNP?
Usually KCSE C- (minus) for Level 6, or a pass in the related Level 5 course.
Where is RVIST located?
On the Nakuru-Njoro Road in Nakuru, with campuses in Nakuru City and Kericho Town.
How do I apply?
Online at rvnp.ac.ke/apply, with a KSh 500 fee paid by M-Pesa.
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