Quick answer
The KIHBT plant operator course is a two-month short course for drivers at the Ngong campus. Tuition is KSh 65,490, boarding KSh 17,500 and the application fee KSh 1,050. You need a valid ID and driving licence; no minimum KCSE grade is published.
Updated 20 October 2026
The Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT) runs one of the best known public plant operator courses in Kenya. It is a two-month short course aimed at drivers who want to operate earthmoving and road construction machines such as graders, excavators, rollers and wheel loaders. This guide explains who can enrol, what the course covers, what it costs in 2026 and how to apply.
KIHBT is a government training institution under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, State Department for Roads. Its main campus is on Commercial Street in Industrial Area, Nairobi, and it also has campuses in Ngong (Kajiado), Kisii, Rwatama (Busia) and Turbi (Marsabit). Older guides sometimes call it KIHBTS, but the official short name is KIHBT.
In this guide
- KIHBT Plant Operator Course at a Glance
- Entry Requirements: Do You Need KCSE?
- What the Course Covers
- Full Cost of the KIHBT Plant Operator Course
- How to Apply
- Other KIHBT Courses for Machine Operators
- How KIHBT Compares With Private Plant Operator Schools
- Jobs After the Course
- KIHBT Contacts
- Frequently asked questions
KIHBT Plant Operator Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Course type | Short course, examined by KIHBT |
| Target group | Drivers |
| Duration | 2 months |
| Tuition | KSh 65,490 |
| Boarding | KSh 17,500 |
| Application fee | KSh 1,050 |
| Main training campus | Ngong, Kajiado County |
The fees and duration come from the KIHBT 2026 training courses brochure. The Ministry of Roads and Transport quoted the same KSh 65,490 two-month fee when it announced the 2025 intakes in March 2025, so the price has held steady.
Entry Requirements: Do You Need KCSE?
KIHBT lists the plant operator course for drivers, so the key requirements are:
- A valid national ID card.
- A valid driving licence. Applicants without one are generally asked to complete driving training first. KIHBT runs a four-week elementary driving course at its Nairobi, Kisii and Rwatama campuses for school leavers, with an NTSA and exam booking fee of KSh 2,000.
- Copies of academic and school leaving certificates, a birth certificate and the application fee receipt, which KIHBT asks every applicant to attach.
KIHBT does not publish a minimum KCSE grade for the plant operator course. That is different from its certificate courses (KCSE D plain, with D plain in Mathematics and English) and diploma courses (KCSE C minus, with C minus in Mathematics, English and Physics or Physical Science). If you only have a KCPE certificate or a KCSE grade below D, ask the Ngong campus before paying, since the decision sits with the institute.
If you still need a licence, our guide to driving licence categories and the minimum driving age in Kenya explains which class to start with.
What the Course Covers
KIHBT trains plant operators on the machines used in road and building works. Published outlines of the Ngong course list these modules:
- Choice of plants and their uses: which machine suits which job, from bulk earthmoving to compaction and grading.
- General maintenance and simple repairs: daily checks, greasing, fluids, tyres and tracks, and spotting faults before they become breakdowns.
- Highway code and safety: site safety, working near traffic, signalling and safe movement of heavy machines on public roads.
- Machine operation and control: hands-on time on the controls of each machine.
- Good workmanship and precision: cutting to level, finishing surfaces and working to an engineer’s instructions.
Machines covered in plant operator training in Kenya typically include graders, bulldozers, excavators, backhoe loaders, front end loaders, rollers and compactors, and sometimes forklifts and cranes. Ask the campus which machines are available for your intake, as practice time depends on the fleet on site.
Full Cost of the KIHBT Plant Operator Course
| Item | Amount (KSh) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | 1,050 |
| Tuition | 65,490 |
| Boarding | 17,500 |
| Total if boarding | 84,040 |
| Total as a day scholar | 66,540 |
Budget separately for NTSA testing. Private schools such as Sensei list the NTSA plant operator exam fee at KSh 2,430 per machine, paid through eCitizen, so a candidate tested on three machines would pay about KSh 7,290. Also allow for safety boots, transport to Ngong and personal effects if you board.
How to Apply
- Apply online on the KIHBT student portal (kims.kihbt.ac.ke), or pick up a printed application form at any KIHBT campus.
- Pay the KSh 1,050 application fee through the portal, or to KIHBT’s National Bank account at the Harambee Avenue branch (01020000832200).
- Attach copies of your ID, birth certificate, driving licence, academic and school leaving certificates, a phone contact for you and a parent or guardian, and the fee receipt.
- If you apply on paper, return the form to the Campus Principal.
- Wait for an admission letter with your reporting date. KIHBT says applications for most programmes are open throughout the year, and plant operator classes start roughly every two months.
Other KIHBT Courses for Machine Operators
If plant operation is not quite what you need, KIHBT also lists these related courses in its 2026 brochure:
- Forklift operator: 3 weeks, KSh 56,000, for class D drivers.
- Forklift refresher: 2 weeks, tuition KSh 26,000, plus an NTSA and exam booking fee of KSh 2,800.
- Construction plant mechanics: a three-month NITA trade test course at KSh 30,000, for people who want to repair machines rather than drive them.
- Construction Plant Equipment Management (CPEM): 1 week, KSh 47,000, for managers who run plant fleets.
For a wider view of fees at public colleges, see our guide to TVET fees in Kenya in 2026.
How KIHBT Compares With Private Plant Operator Schools
Private schools are often faster but can cost more once exams and extra machines are added. Sensei, for example, lists a one-month standard course on any three machines at KSh 68,000 plus KSh 7,290 in NTSA exam fees, and a two-month premium course on six machines at KSh 104,000 plus KSh 14,580 in exam fees. KIHBT’s advantage is that it is a public institute with a long record in road construction training, and its two-month course gives more time on the machines.
Jobs After the Course
Trained plant operators work for road contractors, county governments, quarries, construction firms, plant hire companies and mining projects. Many start as assistant operators before running a machine on their own. Keep an eye on current job openings in Kenya for plant operator and driver vacancies, and prepare the documents most employers ask for before you finish the course.
KIHBT Contacts
- Phone: 020 2465760, 020 2465761, 020 2390758 or 0115 827053
- Email: principal@kihbt.ac.ke
- Address: Commercial Street, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 57511, 00200 Nairobi
Fees can change without notice, so confirm the current amounts with KIHBT before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the KIHBT plant operator course?
Tuition is KSh 65,490 for two months, boarding is KSh 17,500 and the application fee is KSh 1,050. A boarder pays about KSh 84,040 in total before NTSA test fees.
Where is the KIHBT plant operator course offered?
The plant operator course is offered at the KIHBT Ngong campus in Kajiado County. Applications can be made online or at any KIHBT campus.
Can I join the KIHBT plant operator course without a driving licence?
The course is meant for drivers, so you need a valid driving licence. Without one, complete a driving course first, such as KIHBT’s four-week elementary driving course.
Do I need a KCSE certificate for the plant operator course?
KIHBT does not publish a minimum KCSE grade for this course, but it asks all applicants to attach academic and school leaving certificates. Confirm with the campus if your grade is low.
How long is the KIHBT plant operator course?
It takes two months.
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