The government has pledged to ease the financial strain on families with students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
Speaking at KMTC’s 94th graduation ceremony at Kasarani on Thursday, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said a high-level meeting would be convened to agree on a funding formula that brings KMTC students into the HELB net.
“Not every parent can afford KMTC fees. Just like university and TVET students, KMTC students need support,” he said to loud applause.
Kindiki said many trainees were under immense financial pressure and extending HELB support would ensure no aspiring health worker is left behind.
The DP used the ceremony to highlight what he described as far-reaching reforms in the health sector over the last three years, anchored on ensuring universal access to quality care.
“Healthcare is the foundation of human dignity,” he said. “Over the past three years, Kenya has undertaken the most ambitious transformation of its health system.”
He cited expanded medical coverage under the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that membership had grown from 7.5 million Kenyans in 2022 to nearly 28 million today. The government, he said, was refining the scheme to deliver better services.
Kindiki also praised the deployment of 107,000 Community Health Promoters nationwide, calling them the backbone of preventive care. He lauded KMTC for training Community Health Assistants who work alongside CHPs to extend primary healthcare to every household.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening the sector, the DP said the government would hire 1,000 KMTC tutors this financial year and equip and operationalise 18 stalled KMTC campuses built by counties and the NG-CDF. Through the Affordable Housing Programme, 54 KMTC campuses are also set to benefit from new student hostels
.“This year, we have invested KSh9.7 billion in KMTC to support staff recruitment, infrastructure, equipping classes and labs, personnel emoluments and student welfare,” he said.
He urged the institution to step up research, innovation and adoption of digital technologies, noting that Kenya’s expanding fibre network and public Wi-Fi hotspots were reshaping delivery of digital health training, telemedicine and e-learning.
Kindiki added that bilateral labour agreements and global health partnerships were opening up new employment pathways for Kenyan graduates. He praised Kenyan medics working abroad as “ambassadors of national excellence”.
To the graduands, Kindiki pointed to youth-focused programmes such as Kazi Kwa Ground, Kazi Mtandaoni and Kazi Majuu, urging them to seize emerging opportunities.
“You are not merely joining the health system; you are shaping its future,” he told them.
Up to22,776 students received certificates and diplomas during the event.
