Quick answer
Kirinyaga Central TVC near Kerugoya offers CBET Level 3 to 6 courses in business, ICT, electrical, building, hospitality, fashion and social work, plus NITA trade tests and short courses. Level 6 needs C-, Level 5 D plain. Fees are KSh 24,196 per module; the annual fee is KSh 67,189 under the funding model.
Updated 19 October 2026
Kirinyaga Central Technical and Vocational College (KCTVC) is a public TVET college about 5 km from Kerugoya Town in Kirinyaga County. It trains students in competency based courses from Level 3 to Level 6, examined by TVET CDACC, plus NITA government trade tests, KASNEB courses and short courses. The college says it is accredited by TVETA, NITA and KASNEB.
This guide lists every course the college publishes in its official course brochure, the entry grade, duration and intake for each, and the fees from its stamped fee structure. All figures come from the college’s own documents on kirinyagacentraltvc.ac.ke. Where two of its documents disagree, we point it out rather than pick one.
In this guide
Kirinyaga Central TVC at a Glance
- Type: public TVET college registered by TVETA
- Location: Mukinduri to Kiamuthambi road, next to Kiangungu Primary School, about 5 km from Kerugoya Town
- Exam bodies: TVET CDACC for Level 3 to 6 courses, NITA for trade tests and recognition of prior learning, KASNEB for professional courses
- Intakes: January, May and September for all long courses
- Postal address: P.O. Box 205-10300, Kerugoya
- Phone: 0721 624 666
- Email: kirinyagacentraltvc@gmail.com (general) and kctvcregistrar@gmail.com (registrar)
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Entry Requirements by Level
The brochure ties each level to a KCSE mean grade, which is the simplest way to see which course you qualify for:
- Level 6 (diploma level): KCSE mean grade of C minus (C-), 3 years
- Level 5 (craft certificate level): KCSE mean grade of D plain, 2 years
- Level 4 (artisan level): KCSE mean grade of D minus (D-) and below, 1 year
- Level 3: D- and below, 1 year (Computer Applications)
- NITA grade tests and RPL: open entry, usually 6 months per grade
To apply you attach copies of your KCSE certificate or result slip, national ID, birth certificate and school leaving certificate to the college application form.
Full List of Courses Offered at Kirinyaga Central TVC
Business Department
- Supply Chain Management Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Supply Chain Management Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Project Management Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Human Resource Management Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Human Resource Management Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
Liberal Studies Department
- Social Work and Community Development Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Social Work and Community Development Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
Computing and Informatics Department
- ICT Technician Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- ICT Technician Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Computer Programming Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Cyber Security Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Cyber Security Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Graphic Design Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Network and System Administrator Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Computer Applications Level 3 (D- and below, 1 year)
- Computer Applications short course (KCSE, 2 months, internal college certificate, continuous intake)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department
- Electrical Technician (Power Option) Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Electrical Operator (Power Option) Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Electronics Craftsperson Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Electrical Wireman Grade I, II and III (open entry, NITA)
Building and Civil Engineering Department
- Building Technology Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Civil Engineering Level 6 (C-, 3 years)
- Building Technology Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Plumbing Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Plumbing Level 4 (D- and below, 1 year)
- Masonry Level 4 (D- and below, 1 year)
- Plumbing Grade I, II and III (open, 6 months, NITA)
- Masonry Grade I, II and III (open, 6 months, NITA)
Hospitality and Institution Management Department
- Food and Beverage Production (Culinary Arts) Level 6, Level 5 and Level 4
- Food and Beverage Production, Sales and Service Management Level 6 and Level 5
- Housekeeping and Accommodation Level 6, Level 5 and Level 4
- Laundry and Dry Cleaning Operations Level 4 (D- and below, 1 year)
Fashion and Design Department
- Fashion Design Technology Level 5 (D plain, 2 years)
- Fashion Design Technology Level 4 (D- and below, 1 year)
Hairdressing and Cosmetology Department
- Hairdressing Grade I, II and III (open, 6 months per grade, NITA)
- Beauty Therapy (open, 6 months per grade, NITA)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
If you already work in a trade without papers, the college runs RPL assessments under NITA for Gypsum Fixer, Masonry, Painting and Decoration, Plumbing and Tile Fixer. Entry is open and assessment is through a portfolio of evidence.
Short Courses and Their Fees
The brochure gives a fixed price for each short course:
| Short course | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Floor Tiling | 2 weeks | KSh 12,000 |
| Painting | 2 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
| Gypsum Fitting | 2 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
| Plumbing (Basic) | 1 month | KSh 10,000 |
| Cabro Paving | 2 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
| CCTV Camera Installation | 2 weeks | KSh 12,000 |
| Security Systems Installation | 2 weeks | KSh 12,000 |
| Repair and Maintenance of Electronics | 2 weeks | KSh 12,000 |
| Rewinding of Motors | 2 weeks | KSh 12,000 |
| Design and Fabrication of Sound Systems | 2 weeks | KSh 8,000 |
| Display Lights Design and Fabrication | 3 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
| Network Installation | 1 month | KSh 15,000 |
| Nail Gel, Manicure and Pedicure | 2 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
| Baking | 2 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
| Cake Decoration | 2 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
| Pastries | 2 weeks | KSh 10,000 |
The brochure prints the Computer Packages course (1 month) fee as “5,0000”, which is clearly a typing error. Ask the college for the correct figure before paying.
Kirinyaga Central TVC Fee Structure
The college’s stamped fee structure for full time trainees lists these charges per module:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | KSh 12,972 |
| Personal emolument | KSh 4,255 |
| Local transport and travel | KSh 1,149 |
| Electricity, water and conservancy | KSh 1,149 |
| Repair, maintenance and improvement | KSh 1,057 |
| Activity | KSh 1,314 |
| Insurance | KSh 500 |
| Sub-total | KSh 22,396 |
| Student ID | KSh 300 |
| Caution money | KSh 500 |
| KUCCPS fee (only for those not placed by KUCCPS) | KSh 500 |
| TVETA | KSh 500 |
| Total | KSh 24,196 |
The fee structure notes that the amount does not include meals and accommodation, exam fees vary by course, personal cheques and cash are not accepted, and fees once paid are not refundable. Payment goes to the college’s KCB Kerugoya account (account number 1302867024) or KCB M-Pesa Till 7513756. Always confirm the account with the college before you send money.
Annual Fee Under the New Funding Model
Like other public TVET colleges, KCTVC uses an annual fee of KSh 67,189 under the new funding model. HELB places each trainee in one of five bands using its Means Testing Instrument, and the band decides how the fee is split. The college’s published table shows:
| Band | Government scholarship | HELB loan | Household pays | Upkeep loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely vulnerable | 70% (KSh 47,032) | 22.5% (KSh 15,118) | 7.5% (KSh 5,039) | KSh 18,600 |
| Vulnerable | 60% (KSh 40,313) | 28% (KSh 18,813) | 12% (KSh 8,063) | KSh 17,600 |
| Extremely needy | 50% (KSh 33,595) | 32% (KSh 21,500) | 18% (KSh 12,094) | KSh 15,600 |
| Needy | 40% (KSh 26,876) | 38% (KSh 25,532) | 22% (KSh 14,782) | KSh 14,600 |
| Less needy | 30% (KSh 20,157) | 43% (KSh 28,891) | 27% (KSh 18,141) | KSh 13,600 |
A self-sponsored trainee pays the full KSh 67,189. For how the bands and loans work, see our guides on TVET fees in Kenya and applying for HELB as a first-time student.
TVET CDACC Exam Fees
Exams are paid separately, per unit of competency. The college’s funding note lists these CDACC rates:
- Level 3 and 4: KSh 700 per basic unit, KSh 1,000 per common unit and KSh 1,000 per core unit
- Level 5 and 6: KSh 1,000 per basic unit, KSh 1,500 per common unit and KSh 1,500 per core unit
How to Apply to Kirinyaga Central TVC
Option 1, through KUCCPS: apply for the course on the KUCCPS portal. Once placed, you only need an admission number from the college, and you then apply for the scholarship and loan at hef.co.ke. Our guide on how KUCCPS placement works explains the steps.
Option 2, direct entry:
- Visit the college and fill in its application form (also downloadable from the college website).
- Pay the KUCCPS placement fee.
- The college sends your name and admission number to KUCCPS for validation.
- Once admitted, the college helps you apply for the government scholarship and HELB loan.
Note on the placement fee: the college’s documents disagree. The stamped fee structure PDF says KSh 500 on both of its pages, while the “New Funding Model” Word document on the same downloads page says KSh 1,500. Ask the admissions office which figure applies before you pay.
New trainees also sign the college rules and joining instructions with a parent or guardian. The rules require at least 75% class attendance to sit exams and describe the campus as a drug free zone.
Is Kirinyaga Central TVC a Good Choice?
It suits students in Kirinyaga and nearby counties who want an affordable, government funded course close to home. Its strongest areas on paper are ICT, building and civil, electrical and hospitality, each with a full Level 4 to Level 6 ladder. If you are still deciding, compare it with other colleges we have covered, such as Kerio Valley TVC and Bomet TVC. Families in the county may also find our list of the best schools in Kirinyaga County useful.
Most CBET courses include industrial attachment. Our sister site has a practical guide to finding internships in Kenya for when that time comes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Kirinyaga Central TVC?
The stamped fee structure lists KSh 24,196 per module for full time trainees, excluding meals, accommodation and exam fees. The annual fee under the government funding model is KSh 67,189, split between scholarship, HELB loan and household according to your HELB band.
Where is Kirinyaga Central TVC located?
About 5 km from Kerugoya Town on the Mukinduri to Kiamuthambi road, next to Kiangungu Primary School, in Kirinyaga County.
What grade do I need to join?
C- for Level 6 courses, D plain for Level 5 and D- or below for Level 4 and Level 3. NITA grade tests, RPL and short courses have open entry.
When are the intakes?
January, May and September for all long courses.
Does the college offer KASNEB courses?
Yes. The college says it offers KASNEB courses and is accredited by KASNEB, but its brochure does not list which ones. Call 0721 624 666 to confirm the current KASNEB classes.
Sources: Kirinyaga Central TVC course brochure (November 2024), stamped fee structure for full time trainees (PDF dated March 2026), New Funding Model information sheet and joining instructions, all from the college’s downloads page; college About and Contact pages, checked 19 October 2026.
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