The Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) has invited serving and aspiring school leaders to register for its Premier Diploma in Education Leadership and Management (DELM), with the next intake beginning January 2027.
The invitation, dated 18 August 2026, targets principals, deputy principals, heads and deputy heads of institutions, senior teachers, heads of departments, and teachers aspiring to leadership roles. KEMI has set the course fee at KSh 25,000, inclusive of graduation fees, and applicants register online through the Institute’s payment portal.
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What KEMI Has Announced
KEMI, a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency of the Ministry of Education established under Legal Notice No. 19 of 2010, runs the DELM programme as part of its mandate to provide management training, research and consultancy for the education sector.
The January 2027 intake will run as a one-year, fully online programme, combining facilitated online sessions, self-paced learning through the KEMI Learning Management System, practical assignments and an Action Research Project.
Who Is Affected?
The invitation is open to serving school leaders — principals, deputy principals, heads and deputy heads of institutions, senior teachers and heads of departments — as well as teachers aspiring to move into leadership positions.
KEMI’s broader course information also lists administrators in teacher training colleges and TVET institutions, and private-school managers, among groups the programme is designed for.
Course Fee and What It Covers
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total course fee | KSh 25,000 |
| Graduation fee | Included |
This KSh 25,000 figure is what KEMI has quoted specifically for the January 2027 intake in its official invitation.
Readers should be aware that KEMI’s general website still displays older fee information for a previous DELM cohort — a page showing a KSh 33,000 fee, a blended face-to-face-and-online delivery mode, and dates from a 2022–2023 intake that has clearly not been updated.
Applicants should disregard that older page and rely on the specific January 2027 intake communication, or confirm directly with KEMI, before making any payment.
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Course Content
The programme covers:
- Education law, policy and reforms
- Transformative education leadership and management
- Institutional resource leadership and management
- Learner-friendly (child-friendly) schools
- ICT integration in education
- Curriculum delivery and implementation
- Science, technology and innovation
- Guidance and counselling
- Action research
How to Apply
Based on KEMI’s invitation and the Institute’s standard course-registration process, applicants should:
- Visit the KEMI payment portal (payments.kemi.ac.ke).
- Log in using your eCitizen credentials — if you do not have an eCitizen account, you will need to create one first.
- Select “New Trainee.”
- Enter your TSC number, ID number, or PF number.
- Complete the registration form, double-checking your names and identification details.
- Select M-Pesa as the payment method and click “Initiate” to trigger the payment prompt.
- Complete the M-Pesa payment on your phone.
- Click “Submit” to finalise the registration — this step is mandatory even after payment goes through.
What Happens Next?
KEMI has not published a specific application closing date for the January 2027 intake in the material reviewed for this article.
Given that registration and payment are already open, prospective applicants who want a confirmed place should register promptly and keep their eCitizen and M-Pesa payment confirmations, since a firm deadline could be announced or the intake could fill up before one is set.
Important Things Readers Should Know
- This is a paid diploma programme run directly by a Ministry of Education agency, not a TSC-administered exercise — it will not by itself guarantee a TSC promotion, though leadership training of this kind can strengthen a teacher’s professional profile.
- Because KEMI’s main website carries mixed and outdated fee information for this same diploma, always cross-check the fee and dates against the specific January 2027 notice, or call KEMI directly, before sending any M-Pesa payment.
- Have your TSC number, National ID, and an active M-Pesa line ready before starting registration, since the portal requires all three during sign-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KEMI really offering this diploma for January 2027?
Yes. KEMI issued an official invitation dated 18 August 2026 opening registration for the January 2027 DELM intake.
How much does the January 2027 KEMI Diploma cost?
KSh 25,000, inclusive of graduation fees, according to the January 2027 intake invitation.
Who can apply?
Principals, deputy principals, heads and deputy heads of institutions, senior teachers, heads of departments, and teachers aspiring to school leadership roles.
Is the course delivered online?
Yes, for the January 2027 intake — facilitated online sessions, self-paced learning on KEMI’s Learning Management System, assignments, and an Action Research Project.
How long does the course take?
About one year.
Where do I register?
Through the KEMI payment portal at payments.kemi.ac.ke, logging in with eCitizen credentials.
Is there an application deadline?
None has been publicly specified for this intake in the notices reviewed; applicants are advised to register early.
Why does KEMI’s website show a different fee for this course?
KEMI’s general course page for this diploma has not been updated and still reflects an earlier cohort’s fee and schedule. Applicants should follow the specific January 2027 intake communication rather than the general course page.
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