When was kmtc established

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) was officially established in 1993 as a state corporation under the Ministry of Health. It evolved from earlier medical training institutions dating back to the 1920s.

Key Facts

KMTC was formally established as a state corporation in 1993 through Legal Notice No. 101.
It traces its roots to the 1920s with the founding of the first medical assistant training school in Nairobi.
KMTC has over 90 campuses spread across Kenya’s 47 counties.
It trains more than 30,000 students annually in various health-related disciplines.
The college offers diploma, certificate, and degree programs accredited by relevant Kenyan education bodies.

Overview

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is a leading public institution responsible for training healthcare professionals across Kenya. Established in 1993, it was created to standardize and expand medical education in response to growing national health needs.

KMTC evolved from earlier colonial-era training programs and has since become a cornerstone of Kenya’s health workforce development. Today, it plays a critical role in supplying skilled personnel to public and private health facilities nationwide.

Founded in 1993 through Legal Notice No. 101, KMTC was established as a state corporation under the Ministry of Health to centralize medical training.
The institution traces its origins to the Nairobi Medical Training School, which opened in the 1920s to train clinical officers and assistants.
KMTC operates over 90 campuses in all 47 counties, ensuring decentralized access to quality medical education across Kenya.
It offers programs in nursing, clinical medicine, pharmacy, medical laboratory sciences, and public health, among others, serving over 30,000 students annually.
KMTC is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) for select degree programs.

How It Works

KMTC functions as a semi-autonomous government agency with a structured system for admissions, curriculum delivery, and clinical placements. Its operations are designed to meet national health workforce demands efficiently.

Admission Cycle: Applications open annually in July. Over 50,000 candidates apply for approximately 30,000 slots, making it highly competitive.
Curriculum Design: Programs follow competency-based training models approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
Clinical Rotations: Students complete 12–24 months of practical training in government hospitals and health centers.
Accreditation: All programs are reviewed by NCHE and CUE to ensure alignment with national education standards.
Graduate Deployment: Over 85% of graduates are absorbed into the public health sector within one year of completion.
Research and Innovation: KMTC runs health research projects in partnership with Ministry of Health and WHO to improve training outcomes.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares KMTC with other major health training institutions in Kenya:

Institution	Year Established	Student Capacity	Program Levels	Number of Campuses
KMTC	1993	30,000+	Certificate, Diploma, Degree	90+
University of Nairobi – School of Nursing	1967	1,200	Degree, Postgraduate	1
Moi University – College of Health Sciences	1984	2,500	Degree, Masters	1
Jomo Kenyatta University of Health and Sciences (JKUHAS)	1961	3,000	Degree, PhD	1
Technical University of Kenya – Health Programs	2013	1,800	Diploma, Degree	1

KMTC stands out due to its massive scale, nationwide reach, and focus on mid-level health workers. While universities offer advanced degrees, KMTC fills the critical gap in producing frontline health personnel.

Why It Matters

KMTC's role in Kenya's health system is indispensable, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Its training model directly supports national goals like Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Addresses health worker shortages by producing over 25,000 graduates every five years, especially in nursing and clinical medicine.
Supports devolution by hosting campuses in every county, enabling local recruitment and retention of health staff.
Offers affordable education, with government sponsorship covering over 70% of tuition costs for diploma programs.
Partners with global health agencies like PEPFAR and the Global Fund to train personnel for HIV, TB, and maternal health programs.
Has contributed to reducing doctor-to-patient ratios by scaling up training for clinical officers and nurses.
Plays a key role in emergency response, having trained personnel deployed during Ebola preparedness and the COVID-19 pandemic.

By producing skilled, accessible, and locally embedded health workers, KMTC remains a backbone of Kenya’s public health infrastructure.