Disturbing claims are surfacing over how the Nutrition and Dietetics profession is being regulated in Kenya, with growing discontent among graduates and practitioners.
At the center of the complaints is the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI), the sole body mandated to oversee the profession, now being accused of operating more like a revenue-collection outfit than a functional regulatory agency. KNDI faces criticism as Nutrition and Dietetics graduates cite high fees, poor job prospects, and lack of visible support in the health sector. From high licensing fees to mandatory annual renewals, frustrated voices within the sector claim they are being financially drained without seeing any return in terms of job creation, advocacy, or professional support. Many are now pointing to the lack of visibility of the regulatory body in real-world health settings such as hospitals, NGOs, or community health projects, even as its grip over certification and compliance tightens. Behind these complaints lies a broader frustration about the mismatch between classroom learning and the practical realities of the healthcare environment. Some allege that institutions continue to churn out graduates into a saturated, jobless market, with little intervention or accountability from those tasked with overseeing standards and employment pathways. "Hello Cyprian. There is this medical course by the name Nutrition and Dietetics and it's also kind of a money laundering scheme. It's led by a body called KNDI, the only regulatory body in Kenya. It has never been seen on the ground like in hospitals, NGOs, or community advocating for jobs. It's a course undermined in hospitals yet there is a body. A lot of students who did Nutrition really regret. I have a friend who says that their license is now 30,000 Ksh. And still, you have to pay annually 2,000 Ksh and they don't want to know if you have a job or not. They will even call you to ask for their debt. My friend was so stressful because they called demanding for their pay yet no job. Whatsoever, what is taught in schools is different from the hospital setting. These medical courses should be taught by healthcare professionals instead of some lecturers who don't know what will help someone in a practical setting. Just try and think of all institutions undertaking the course and see how much money they collect plus those of yearly pays. A lot of money yet no jobs, no accountability of where the money goes, no projects. No one even knows the CEO or the admins. They have never been seen in institutions. You are even told to pay some thousands to certify a document they are giving you which you have already paid the license money to get. Like how surely are they for real??? If I ask, is there an essence of paying school fees for a course then after doing exam for course completion you do another exam for license — what for? Should the school qualifying exam be enough for a license? The rate of jobless graduates from that course is so high. Expose those guys, that money is a lot for such a course with no jobs. Hide ID."