Human resource officers without certification in Kenya are staring at possible exclusion from practice, following a bold warning from the Human Resource Management Professionals Examinations Board (HRMPEB). The Board has thrown its weight behind the Public Service Human Resource Bill, currently before Parliament, which seeks to bar uncertified individuals from holding HR positions in both the public and private sectors.
The announcement was made during the CHRP-K Alumni Dinner held at the Swiss Lenana Mount Hotel, Nairobi, where HR professionals, regulators, and corporate leaders convened to celebrate and strategize on the future of the profession.
“We are giving notice: if you’re not certified and not a member of the professional body, you will soon find yourself locked out of practice,” warned HRMPEB CEO Margaret Nguu.
Concerns have been mounting over county governments and other public institutions employing unqualified HR officers, which critics argue undermines efficiency, exposes entities to legal risks, and erodes the profession’s credibility.
With only 3,713 out of over 20,000 registered HR practitioners certified under the CHRP-K program, the board is now rolling out a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway. This alternative route allows long-serving HR personnel without formal qualifications to present a portfolio of evidence showcasing their skills for assessment and certification.
“We’re not locking anyone out,” Nguu clarified. “We’re giving experienced HR officers a chance to prove themselves without necessarily going back to school.”
The dinner also spotlighted the evolving nature of HR. Lillian Ngala, HR Director at Diamond Trust Bank, stressed the value of networks and continuous professional development. “Getting a job may take a CV, but growing and keeping it requires a strong network,” she noted.
Ngala further called for awareness campaigns, especially within the public sector, to change outdated perceptions of HR as merely administrative.
With growing support from stakeholders and the promise of regulatory reform, HRMPEB says the future of the profession is clear: strategic, ethical, and reserved for the certified.
