 |
| KMTC Headquarters in Nairobi |
Chief Executive Officer Kelly Oluoch announced the plan on Monday, October 26, 2026. His remarks followed concerns raised by Members of Parliament during an oversight visit to the college’s headquarters in Nairobi.
Lawmakers questioned whether KMTC was offering courses that matched the number and types of jobs available. They urged the institution to consider employment prospects before deciding which programmes students should pursue.
MPs Question Value of Some Courses
National Assembly Health Committee chairperson James Nyikal said KMTC should focus on training professionals needed by the government. He noted that public institutions have different responsibilities from private colleges when selecting courses to offer.
Nyikal warned that students could waste years pursuing qualifications that do not lead to available jobs. He urged KMTC to make employment opportunities an important factor when planning its academic programmes.
Endebess MP Robert Pukose also called for training courses that provide graduates with realistic employment prospects. He argued that offering programmes without considering job availability could hurt students and the institution.
Ndhiwa MP Martins Owino and Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron supported the concerns raised by their colleagues. The lawmakers called for stronger links between the college’s training programmes and the needs of the employment market.
College Promises Curriculum Review
Oluoch responded by saying KMTC would examine its existing courses and reorganise them where necessary. The exercise is intended to keep training relevant to Kenya’s changing healthcare workforce requirements.
The college has not yet announced which programmes could be affected by the planned changes. It also remains unclear whether the review will result in new courses or the removal of existing ones.
KMTC has also introduced entrepreneurship training as a compulsory subject for all students. According to Oluoch, the course gives learners additional skills that could help them pursue business opportunities or generate income independently.
The training could offer graduates another option when formal employment is difficult to secure. However, the college’s main challenge remains ensuring its professional courses prepare learners for opportunities within the health sector.
Wide Range of Medical Courses Offered
KMTC currently offers 126 courses through its 92 campuses across Kenya. These include certificate and diploma programmes, as well as specialised short courses in different areas of healthcare.
Students can pursue diploma qualifications in nursing, clinical medicine, pharmacy and medical laboratory sciences. Other programmes cover radiography, physiotherapy, public health, nutrition and dietetics.
At certificate level, the institution offers training in community health assistance and medical engineering. Learners can also study health records management, public health, nutrition and emergency medical technician training.
The variety of programmes serves different healthcare needs, but lawmakers want the college to consider employment opportunities more closely. They believe course selection should reflect the skills employers require rather than focusing only on the number of programmes available.
Unemployment Pressure Drives Calls for Change
The debate comes as Kenya continues facing difficulties in creating sufficient employment opportunities for its growing workforce. Young people with professional qualifications can still struggle to secure jobs after completing their training.
Figures from the International Labour Organization cited in the report indicate that about 2.8 million Kenyans are without employment. The situation has increased pressure on training institutions to prepare students for realistic opportunities.
KMTC’s planned review could influence the courses future students choose and the skills they acquire. Its success will depend on whether the changes help graduates meet employer needs and improve their employment prospects.
