Best Online Secretarial Courses in Kenya

Starting a career as a secretary or administrative officer nowadays does not require waiting for campus admission. Through online secretarial studies in Kenya, you can now study at home, acquire essential office skills, and sit for nationally accredited examinations such as those offered by KNEC.

If you have just left college, you are looking to upgrade your career, or you need a flexible way to pursue studies, online studies offer you the chance to explore various fields, including business, health, teaching, NGOs and government.

This guide will explain the best online secretarial courses in Kenya, free options, official certificate pathways, course requirements, costs, qualifications, duration, and even how much you can expect to earn as a secretary in Kenya.

1Online Secretarial Courses in Kenya

2Free Online Secretarial Courses with Certificates

3Certificate in Secretarial Courses

4Fee Structure for Secretarial Course in Kenya

5Online Secretarial Course Requirements

6Grade for Secretarial Course

7How Long Does a Secretarial Course take in Kenya?

8How Much Does a Secretary Earn in Kenya per Month?

9Frequently Asked Questions

10Conclusion

11References

12Recommendations

Online Secretarial Courses in Kenya

Secretarial studies is one of the most sought-after certificate courses in Kenya. Due to digitalisation, most institutions have now designed online classrooms that enable students to study from a distance and still qualify to sit for KNEC exams.

Below are some of the top providers.

Uwezo College (eLearning) – Provides Certificate in Secretarial Studies (CSS1) online and physical. Examining body: KNEC. Entry grade: KCSE D/D+. Study duration: 12 months per module.
RCM Online College – Provides KNEC Secretarial Studies fully online, at a fee of approximately KSh 15,000 per term.
Elara Online Learning – Includes Secretarial Studies in its online portfolio with both certificate and diploma levels.
Public TVET Colleges such as Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Sigalagala, and more – Most now provide blended or online tuition, while examinations remain centre-based through KNEC.

Read: How to Open a CDS Account in kenya online

Free Online Secretarial Courses with Certificates

If you’re just exploring the field or want to strengthen your admin skills at no cost, free online platforms are a great starting point. These courses may not replace official KNEC qualifications, but they boost your confidence and CV.

Alison – Free courses such as Administrative Support and Executive Assistant Skills. A certificate can be downloaded (some formats may attract a small fee).
OpenLearn (Open University) – Provides free short courses and awards a Statement of Participation in PDF.
Coursera – You can audit most courses for free. If you wish to receive a certificate, you must pay or request financial assistance.

Certificate in Secretarial Courses

KNEC Craft Certificate in Secretarial Studies is the gateway to the profession. It is for entry-grade students who wish to acquire good office and communication skills.

Entry grade: KCSE D (Plain) minimum, although some of the institutions demand a D+.
Duration: 1–2 years, depending on the institution.
Subjects: Shorthand, Office Practice, Computerised Document Processing, Communication, and ICT basics.
Progression: On the certificate, progression is to the KNEC Diploma in Secretarial Studies.

Fee Structure for Secretarial Course in Kenya

The cost for secretarial education in Kenya varies based on whether you are pursuing a public TVET or an online private college.

Fees typically include tuition, registration, tests, ID, and occasionally e-learning fees. Here’s how much you’re expected to pay if you enrol in any of the following schools.

Uwezo College – Approximately KSh 24,650 for the initial trimester (including e-learning fees). The subsequent trimesters are approximately KSh 19,850 per trimester.
RCM Online College – Approximately KSh 15,000 per term.
Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (Public TVET) – Around KSh 56,000 per year (for sponsored students by the government).
Machakos Institute of Technology – KSh 72,180 (full certificate program).

Online Secretarial Course Requirements

Before you take any course, you will be required to achieve both technical and academic qualifications.

The academic qualification confirms that you are qualified, whereas the technical qualification verifies that you can seamlessly transition into online classes.

Academic Requirements:

KCSE certificate/result slip
National ID or Birth Certificate
Passport photos
Registration and ID card fees

Logistical Requirements:

A laptop or smartphone
Stable internet
Willingness to use platforms such as Google Classroom, Zoom, or a custom LMS

Grade for Secretarial Course

Your KCSE marks have a significant impact when choosing where to start your secretarial studies. It’s akin to the starting point; various grades have different levels of the course route opened to you.

If you secured lower marks, don’t panic; you too can start with a certificate and then progress little by little later on. Their better KCSE performance allows them to come in at a higher level straight away, saving time and going straight for advanced qualifications.

Here’s how they do it:

Craft Certificate: KCSE D (Plain) as a minimum.
Diploma in Secretarial Studies: KCSE C- (Minus) or upgrading from a Craft Certificate.
KASNEB Certified Secretaries (CS): KCSE C+ (Plus) or above.

How Long Does a Secretarial Course take in Kenya?

The length of a secretarial course in Kenya is not the same. It will be determined by how much you study and the timetable of the institution.

Public institutions’ TVETs have the courses in modules or trimesters, while private colleges may condense the timetable to allow space for flexibility for the online students.

Professional courses such as KASNEB CS have fixed examination sittings each year, and so your pace is dependent on the exam timetables.

If you begin with a certificate, you learn basic office practice, shorthand, and computerised document processing.

When progressing to the diploma level, there is additional in-depth education of office administration, management, and communication, which obviously takes longer.

Those who are heading for the professional CS designation spend more time on exam preparation and sitting for more levels of examination.

Here’s a breakdown of how long each level usually takes:

Craft Certificate in Secretarial Studies: 1–2 years, depending on modules and timetable.
Diploma in Secretarial Studies: 2–3 years.
KASNEB CS Course: Varies, but typically 2–3 years with exam sittings.

How Much Does a Secretary Earn in Kenya per Month?

One of the most asked questions by students before enrolling is, “What is the salary prospect?” Education is not merely about acquiring skills but about enhancing your standard of living.

The good news is that secretarial employment in Kenya is one of the rare careers with consistent demand in almost every sector; schools, hospitals, government, NGOs, and the private sector.

Your earnings will nevertheless be influenced by where you are employed, company size, level of training, and years of experience. Initial secretaries earn low, but upon reaching an interval of time and advancement to executive or senior grades, earnings can significantly rise.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Senior/executive secretaries: Can earn KSh 40,000 – 65,000+ per month in big organisations.
Entry-level secretaries: Around KSh 20,000 – 30,000 per month.
Average range: KSh 27,000 – 35,000 (based on salary surveys).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are online secretarial courses in Kenya recognised?

Yes, provided the program leads to a KNEC or KASNEB exam certificate.

Can I study fully online and still sit exams?

Yes. Teaching is online, but KNEC exams must be taken physically at accredited centres.

Is KASNEB CS the same as KNEC Secretarial Studies?

No. KNEC prepares you for office admin roles, while KASNEB CS prepares you for corporate governance and compliance.

How do I save on costs?

Start with free short courses online to build basic skills, then enrol in a KNEC-accredited course for formal certification.

Conclusion

Online secretarial studies in Kenya allow you to learn at your own pace and prepare for nationally recognised examinations.

Begin with the Craft Certificate if you attained a KCSE D, move on to the Diploma with a C-, and target the Certified Secretaries (CS) qualification if you wish to practice in governance.

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