Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is expanding its training capacity, infrastructure and health workforce programmes as the country accelerates reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The college is showcasing its expanded programmes and infrastructure at the Kenya Health Summit 2026, convened by the Ministry of Health under the theme, “Reforms Delivered, Health as a Right.”
The summit brings together government officials, lawmakers, development partners, private-sector representatives, civil society and communities to discuss progress and priorities in Kenya’s health-sector transformation.
KMTC, which has trained health professionals for 99 years, has increased its footprint from 72 campuses in 2022 to 92, including six satellite campuses. The expansion has extended the college’s presence to 45 of Kenya’s 47 counties.
Its training programmes have also increased from 98 to 126, reflecting growing demand for skills in primary healthcare, digital health, health financing, emergency preparedness and specialised care.
“KMTC remains committed to producing competent, responsive and industry-ready health professionals for communities in Kenya and beyond,” the college said.
The institution has placed emphasis on practical training, with about 70% of learning dedicated to skills development through community-oriented and competency-based programmes.
As part of Kenya’s shift towards stronger primary healthcare, KMTC is training Community Health Assistants and has introduced a Community Mental Health course, alongside a common mental-health module for all students.
The college is also expanding training for Emergency Medicine Technicians, Health Records professionals and health insurance cadres to strengthen emergency response, digital health systems and health financing.
The programmes are intended to support implementation of the Social Health Authority and Kenya’s Digital Health Agenda.
KMTC said investments in simulation laboratories, high-fidelity manikins and partnerships with industry were helping students gain practical experience before entering the workforce.
Student admissions rose 37.2% from 24,379 in the 2022/23 academic year to 33,443 in 2025/26, while the overall student population increased 65% from 54,332 to 89,586.
The number of graduands also rose 43% over the same period, from 15,915 to 22,776, highlighting the college’s expanding contribution to Kenya’s health workforce.
The government has employed 620 new staff since 2022 to support the expanded training programmes, while 29,641 students have benefited from Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding over the past three years.
To address accommodation challenges, student villages are being constructed at 57 campuses, with the aim of increasing access to affordable housing for trainees.
The expansion comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its health system and increase access to quality healthcare, particularly through primary healthcare and community-level services.
KMTC said its continued investment in training capacity would help provide the skilled workforce needed to support the country’s UHC reforms and respond to emerging healthcare needs.
Nairobi, August 18, 2026 – The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is showcasing its expansion in training capacity, infrastructure and health-workforce development at the Kenya Health Summit 2026, as Kenya advances reforms towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Convened by the Ministry of Health under the theme, “Reforms Delivered, Health as a Right,” the Summit brings together stakeholders across government, Parliament, development partners, the private sector, civil society and communities to advance health-sector transformation. For 99 years, KMTC has trained health professionals, particularly middle-level cadres. Since 2022, the College has grown from 72 to 92 campuses, with six satellite campuses added, extending its presence to 45 of Kenyaʼs 47 counties. Its programmes have increased from 98 to 126, responding to evolving needs in primary healthcare, digital health, health financing, emergency preparedness and specialized care. KMTC delivers community-oriented, competency-based training, with approximately 70 percent of learning dedicated to practical skills development. In support of primary healthcare reforms, the College is training Community Health Assistants and has introduced a Community Mental Health Course, alongside a common mental-health module for all students. The College is also strengthening emergency and digital-health capacity through training of Emergency Medicine Technicians, Health Records professionals and Health Insurance cadres.
These programmes support emergency preparedness, the Social Health Authority and Kenyaʼs Digital Health Agenda. Investments in simulation laboratories, high-fidelity manikins and industry partnerships further enhance practical training. Student admissions increased by 37.2 percent between 2022/23 and 2025/26, from 24,379 to 33,443. Over the same period, student population grew by 65 percent, from 54,332 to 89,586, while graduands increased by 43 percent, from 15,915 to 22,776. The Government has employed 620 new staff since 2022 to support expanded training delivery. KMTC has also supported access to training through HELB funding, benefiting 29,641 students over the last three years. Student villages are under construction at 57 campuses to expand affordable accommodation. As Kenya pursues health as a right, KMTC remains committed to producing competent, responsive and industry-ready health professionals for communities in Kenya and beyond.
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