What Are Kenyan Professional Bodies?
If you’re considering Kenya as a short- or long-term professional destination, it’s important to understand the role of professional bodies in the country. These organisations are key players in shaping Kenya’s professional landscape – ensuring that individuals working in critical fields like medicine, law, engineering, and accounting are properly trained, licensed, and held to consistent ethical standards. Beyond regulating local professionals, these bodies also play a significant role for foreigners, especially when it comes to securing work permits in regulated professions. Understanding how they operate can be essential to a smooth transition into Kenya’s workforce.
Role in Work Permit Applications
Kenyan professional bodies play an important role in the work permit application process for foreign professionals seeking to work in regulated fields such as law, engineering, medicine and accounting. This membership serves as proof that the individual is qualified and authorised to practice within their profession in Kenya. Professional bodies often assess the equivalence of foreign qualifications and ensure that foreign professionals adhere to local industry norms.
What professional bodies exist in Kenya
Kenya has a wide range of professional bodies that represent people working in different fields. These organisations help set standards, offer training and supports professionals in growing their careers.
Here are some of the professional bodies in Kenya, along with how to find them:
- Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) – Professional body for built-environment experts in Kenya, promoting standards, networking, and advocacy.
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) – Global accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification, with a presence supporting members in Kenya.
- Association of Private Universities in Kenya (KENAPCO) – Umbrella organization advocating quality education and shared interests of private universities in Kenya.
- Association of Professional Societies of East Africa (APSEA) – Corporate membership organization established in 1961 to uphold professional and ethical standards across East Africa.
- Association of Public Universities in Kenya – Body representing public universities, supporting policy coordination and institutional development. (No website available)
- Board of Registration of Architects & Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) – Regulates and licenses architects and quantity surveyors, ensuring professional standards and ethics in Kenya.
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIARB) – Professional arbitration body.
- Chartered Institute of Management (KIM) – Management professional body.
- Clinical Officers Council (COC) – Regulates training, registration, and licensing of clinical officers in Kenya.
- Council for Legal Education (CLE) – Regulates legal education in Kenya; official site not located.
- Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) – Licenses and regulates engineers to ensure only qualified professionals practice in Kenya.
- Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) – Governs CPA qualifications, licensing, training, and professional development for accountants in Kenya.
- Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) – Professional body for public secretaries in Kenya; no official site located.
- Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) – HR professionals’ body in Kenya.
- Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) – Represents surveyors; no official website found.
- Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutes (KATTI) – Umbrella body for technical training providers; no online presence identified.
- Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians & Technologists Board (KMLTTB) – Regulates training, registration, and practice for lab technologists.
- Kenya National Association of Agricultural Professionals – Represents agri-professionals; site not found. (No website available)
- Kenya National Association of Private Colleges – Advocates for private colleges; no official site located. (No website available)
- Kenya Nutritionists & Dieticians Institute (KNDI) – Statutory regulator for nutritionists and dieticians, managing licensing, accreditation, and standards.
- Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB) – Registers and regulates technologists and technicians in engineering fields.
- Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) – Oversees registration and standards for veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals.
- Media Council of Kenya (MCK) – Statutory body regulating journalists, handling complaints, and promoting ethical media practice in Kenya.
- Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) – Regulator for doctors and dentists; no official site found.
- Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) – Regulates nursing and midwifery education and licensing; official site not identified.
- Pharmacy & Poisons Board (PPB) – Regulates pharmacy profession and drug control in Kenya; official site not located.
- The Marketing Society of Kenya (TMSK) – The national umbrella body for all marketers in Kenya whose key mandate is to empower and regulate the marketing industry.
Conclusion
Kenyan professional bodies are integral to the country’s regulatory framework, ensuring that professionals meet the required standards and contribute positively to their respective fields. For foreign nationals seeking to work in Kenya, aligning with the relevant professional body is not just a regulatory requirement but also a testament to their commitment to maintaining high professional standards.
Written by Xabisa Mxokozeli, Creative Marketing Assistant
