Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP) was established in 1950 as a Technical High School. With the introduction of the 8-4-4 system of education, KNCP was elevated to a middle level Technical College (Mombasa Technical Training Institute) in 1984 to provide technical training for the middle level workforce targeting both the private and public sectors of the economy.

In 2016 the institution was officially up-graded to a National Polytechnic via the Legal Notice 88 of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act (No. 29 of 2013). The trainees in the Polytechnic are a majority from secondary school leavers, graduates from other tertiary institutions, employees on part-time release basis and the informal (Jua Kali) sector.

KCNP is managed by a local council whose members are appointed by the Government to represent the community, industrialists, professionals and various governmental departments. It offers curriculum developed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), amongst others. KCNP offers courses at Artisan, Craft, Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Degree levels (in conjunction with recognized Universities), plus short-term certificate courses in the part-time programme. All the courses offered at all levels incorporate Entrepreneurship Training and Industrial Attachment to prepare the trainees for formal and self-employment. The examining bodies are the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB), Kenya National Examinations council (KNEC), NITA, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) and KCNP.

KCNP is a member of the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) amongst others. KCNP is taking full advantage of its enhanced capacity in terms of staff numbers and caliber, physical facilities, wide spectrum of courses, unique location close to Central Business District (CBD) of Mombasa, major industries, commercial organizations, existing transport infrastructure and housing.; all to achieve its vision to become “a leading center of excellence in training”, and to produce highly competent graduates for the modern world of work.

Kenya Coast National Polytechnic mandate is to train a highly skilled workforce that is suitable for further professional development through quality inclusive and equitable TVET programs responsive to national and global competitiveness, to carry out research programs, to develop and transfer science, technology and innovation into products and services, to benchmark with other institutions and liaise with industry, and to adopt programs that address the needs of the local community. The Institution’s core values include the following among others: - Honesty, Integrity and Transparency, Quality Leadership, Excellence, Innovativeness and Creativity. Consultative Decision-making, World-class Programmes and Standards, Respect for Human and Gender Rights, Professionalism, Team Spirit and Discipline.