Most IT departments in Kenya are looking for candidates with up-to-date knowledge in IT. As a result, these Top 20 Most Marketable IT Certifications in Kenya are in high demand. And when a tech recruiter is evaluating your resume, they often start by looking at your IT certifications. The IT certifications quickly show them a person’s mastery of a particular technology or practice — from help desk basics to mastery of complex cloud environments.

So whether you’re a recent graduate or seasoned tech specialist, preparing for and attaining a certification is a great way to expand your skill set, impress prospective employers and stand out from the crowd.

In this article, I have outlined the Top 20 Most Marketable IT Certifications in Kenya a that you can pursue.

Summary of Marketable IT Certifications

AWS certified cloud practitioner
Certified cloud security professional (CCSP)
Certified data privacy solutions engineer (CDPSE)
Certified data professional (CDP)
Certified ethical hacker (CEH)
Certified information security manager (CISM)
Certified information systems security professional (CISSP)
Cisco certified internetwork expert (CCIE)
Cisco certified network professional (CCNP)
CompTIA (A+, Cloud+, Security+)
Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect
Microsoft certified solutions associate/expert (MCSA/MCSE)
Information technology infrastructure library (ITIL)
Oracle database and MySQL administration certifications
Project management professional (PMP)
Salesforce certified development lifecycle and deployment designer

Marketable IT certifications for beginners

Just starting out in the IT field? The following are some of the best introductory certifications to help you get your first IT job:

CompTIA certification
CompTIA issues certifications for a variety of technologies and platforms, but one stands above the rest in terms of value to IT pros:

CompTIA A+: Get started in IT with this foundational certificate. It’s all about hardware, technical support and troubleshooting. It also covers best practices in security, networking, operational procedures, mobile devices and various operating systems.

Microsoft technology professional
Tech giant Microsoft offers an entry-level certification called the Microsoft technology professional (MTA). This certificate covers a range of subjects, such as IT infrastructure, including fundamentals of Windows Operating System, Windows Server Administration, networking and cybersecurity; database, covering database fundamentals; and developer, a fundamental certification in topics including software development, web development, .NET, gaming and HTML5.

Each of these topics is a separate MTA. You can acquire multiple MTAs if that’s what you need to get your career started. There’s no mandatory study or minimum professional experience required. Just take the exam when you feel prepared.

Recommended Midlevel Microsoft certifications

When you’ve completed an MTA or other entry-level certification, you may consider an intermediate certification from Microsoft. This will help take your career to the next level.

Microsoft certified solutions expert (MCSE): MCSE certifications come in several specializations and show that you have the skills to manage servers, data systems, storage, private clouds, networking and more.

Microsoft certified solutions developer (MCSD): Getting the MCSD certification shows that you have what it takes to design and create apps across a wide range of Windows products.
MCSE and MCSD are two of the most highly regarded certifications in tech. Either of these could help your IT resume stand out.

Recommended certifications for networking

As Cisco is a leading provider of infrastructure products, a certificate from this company confirms that you’re versed in the latest developments and best practices in networking. The most essential are:

Cisco certified network associate (CCNA): A step up from Cisco’s entry-level certification, CCNAs can specialize in the following areas: cloud, collaboration, cyber operations, data center, industrial/IoT, routing and switching, security, service provider and wireless.

Cisco certified network professional (CCNP): After the associate level, the CCNP is a more advanced IT certificate in one of the above-mentioned specialty areas. You can specialize in CCNP Enterprise, Data Center, Security, Service Provider or Collaboration.

Recommended certifications for IT security

Hacking and cyberattacks are hot topics today in Kenya, and many jobs in security and risk management are going unstaffed. The following are some of the most valuable IT certifications in this booming field.

A professional organization devoted to IT security and governance, ISACA manages a number of global certification programs, including:

Certified information systems auditor: According to ISACA, the CISA is its cornerstone certification. As the name indicates, this exam is aimed at information systems (IS) professionals who monitor, control and assess a company’s IT or business systems. This certificate requires five years of professional experience in the field.
Certified information security manager: The leading credential for information security managers, the CISM is designed for people who design, build and manage information security programs. To qualify, you must have at least five years of IS experience and three years as a security manager.
Certified in risk and information systems control: The CRISC accredits professionals and project managers responsible for information security and its overall impact on the enterprise. It covers risk identification, risk assessment, risk response and mitigation, and risk control monitoring and reporting.
Certified in the governance of enterprise IT: The CGEIT demonstrates your understanding of enterprise IT governance principles and practices. It is one of the most sought-after certifications in IT, commanding some of the highest salaries.
Cybersecurity nexus (CSX-P): In a time of constantly evolving cybersecurity threats, the CSX-P certification demonstrates that you are up to date on security standards and risks.

Other valuable IT certifications for security include:

Certified ethical hacker: EC-Council offers several certification programs, and one of the most popular is the CEH. Professionals with this certification specialize in penetration testing, which is why it is often a prerequisite for positions like cyber forensics analyst, cybersecurity engineer and applications developer.
Certified information systems security professional: This is another cybersecurity certification in high demand. Designed for experienced IT professionals, CISSP holders understand vulnerabilities in networked systems and create policies to safeguard systems and minimize risk.
Global information assurance certifications: All about information security, the GIACs come in several categories: cyber defense; penetration testing; incident response and forensics; cybersecurity management, audit and legal proficiencies; developer; and industrial control systems. The highest level is the GIAC security expert (GSE).