Fraudulent Nakuru Technical College Shut Down After Exploiting Students

On December 16, a group of prospective students arrived at what they believed to be an accredited training institution in Nakuru, only to face disappointment and financial loss.

The establishment, which presented itself as offering computer courses, was found to have empty classrooms devoid of the promised equipment. Benson Macharia, chairperson of the Friends of Devolution and Accountability Forum, has initiated an investigation into the college after receiving multiple reports regarding suspicious enrollment activities at the location within the preceding week.

"We learned that students had paid tuition fees under the impression they would begin computer classes today, yet we were confronted with vacant halls and no computers," Macharia asserted. "This is a deplorable situation, particularly as they are preying on vulnerable students who have just completed their secondary education."

Further investigations reveal that the establishment, which called itself Nakuru Technical Training College, was not registered with the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) authority. It lacked essential accreditations including a necessary operating license and public health approvals. One frustrated student explains their decision to enrol as having been motivated by government initiatives promoting digital skills:

"I signed up believing I would gain valuable skills for online job opportunities. After paying, discovering there were no computers felt like a betrayal. This is clearly a scam," they said.

Additionally, the inspection team reports that the landlord could not produce a valid five-year lease essential for educational institutions, and reports indicate that the directors of the fraudulent college have fled. The operation had lured potential students with misleading promotional materials, promising a legitimate educational experience.

In response to this incident, Macharia and other activists have announced plans to conduct thorough inspections of educational institutions throughout the area to confirm their legitimacy. They are encouraging parents and prospective students to engage only with accredited institutions that have the necessary infrastructure.

This matter has been escalated to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), with Macharia calling for stringent measures against fraudulent colleges. He states, "Just as the authorities took action to close over 300 unregistered boarding facilities, the director of TVET must adopt a similar approach to prevent further exploitation."