The Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife wants the Kenya Utalii College to be granted the authority to certify all professionals in the hospitality industry.

Led by Chairperson, Hon. Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Members voiced concerns over the lack of regulation in the sector’s training standards.

During a meeting with officials from the Tourism Professionals Association (TPA) led by Chairperson, Prof. Ray Mutinda, Members emphasized the need for standardized training.

"If we make it mandatory that all practitioners in the tourism and hospitality sector have a certification from the Kenya Utalii College before practising there will be standardization,” Hon. Mbiuki said.

 He added that the agenda of the Committee is to have a premier college elevated to be the institution that certifies all the professionals in the sector.

Prof. Mutinda supported the proposal by the Committee adding that TPA be allowed to establish a standard curriculum for all the learners in the sector.

"We support the idea of having the Kenya Utalii College certify all professionals in the hospitality industry. In addition, we propose that training continues at the lower levels, and TPA be allowed to work with other stakeholders to establish a minimum curriculum for the learners," he said.

On the same day, during a session chaired by Hon. Innocent Mugabe, the Committee met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tourism Promotion Fund (TPF), Mr. Stephen Kinyanjui who updated the Committee on the projects funded by the Fund in the last and current financial years.