Accelerating Safer Roads Through Lifesaving Skills

The College, on November 13, 2025, took a significant step toward strengthening emergency response and road safety in Kenya during a high-level consultative meeting held at the EKA Hotel in Nairobi. The engagement, attended by representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), road safety stakeholders, and KMTC officials, centred on the College’s Boda Boda First Responder Training Initiative, a country-wide programme transforming riders into lifesavers.

KMTC CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch highlighted the vital role of boda boda riders as first responders, especially in areas where emergency services are delayed. With over 1.5 million riders nationwide and motorcycle-related crashes accounting for 33% of road fatalities in 2024, KMTC stressed the importance of equipping riders with essential emergency care skills.

“Who reaches the injured before the ambulance arrives?” Dr. Oluoch posed the question, noting that boda boda riders are often the first on the scene but lack the basic life-saving skills that could prevent avoidable deaths.

Over the years, the College has trained more than 9,000 riders across 90 campuses, offering practical skills such as bleeding control, safe lifting techniques, chest compressions, choking response, and scene management. The College has also integrated first aid and trauma management into all its academic programmes, ensuring that every KMTC graduate has lifesaving skills.

The meeting acknowledged key challenges, including funding gaps that limit national scaling. To train 10,000 additional riders, KMTC requires KES 14 million, excluding monitoring and evaluation costs. However, stakeholders agreed that the programme remains one of the most cost-effective investments in reducing preventable deaths, costing just Kshs 1,400 per rider for a two-day course.

Dr. Oluoch called on partners to support the next phase of the programme, saying, “KMTC brings the expertise, infrastructure, and credibility to transform community response, not as a project, but as a system.”

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale Graces Successful Medical and Surgical Camp in Balambala

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Garissa Campus, in collaboration with the County Government of Garissa and partners, organized a three-day medical and surgical camp held from 14th to 16th August 2025 at Balambala Sub-County, Garissa.

The event was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, who commended the initiative as a milestone in expanding access to healthcare services.

“This camp demonstrates the power of partnership in delivering quality healthcare and ensuring that communities in remote areas are not left behind,” he said.

Over the three days, 2,611 patients were treated, 72 surgeries were successfully conducted, and 100 pints of blood were donated.

In addition, 2,260 individuals were registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), while 90 patients were booked for cataract surgery, giving hope for restored vision to many.

During the same occasion, the Cabinet Secretary launched the TaifaCare Health Management Information System (HMIS) digitization program, an important step towards strengthening health information systems for more efficient service delivery.

KMTC lecturers supported surgical teams in critical procedures, while students offered care across different departments under supervision, gaining practical skills while serving the community.

The event was also supported by the National Government, Medical Aid Alliance, Hewatele, Arachis Pharmaceuticals, KMTC, and North Eastern Province College of Health Sciences, the Kenya Red Cross Society, and other partners.

KMTC Equips Pre-retirees Through Pre-Retirement Training

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) has kicked off a five-day pre-retirement training programme for staff members preparing to exit service, highlighting the College’s commitment to supporting its employees in planning for life after active duty.

The five-day training, which commenced on Monday, August 25, 2025, in Kisumu, was officially opened by the CEO, Dr. Kelly Oluoch. In his remarks, Dr. Oluoch expressed appreciation to the retirees for their years of dedication and service to the College.

“Since joining KMTC, I have had the privilege of interacting with many of you in different capacities, and those encounters have left lasting memories,” he noted.

On financial preparedness, Dr. Oluoch emphasized the importance of careful planning. “Treat every shilling earned as capital,” he said.

“Invest prudently in dividends, stocks, and bonds. Remember that while your income may reduce with age, your needs will continue to grow.”

He cautioned the participants against unnecessary expenses, urging them to prioritize owning homes and meeting their basic needs.

Turning to health and wellness, the CEO emphasized the importance of adopting a disciplined lifestyle.

“Your health is your true wealth,” he said, adding that: “Schedule regular checkups, make exercise part of your routine, and embrace a balanced diet. Retirement should be enjoyed in good health.”

Dr. Oluoch further reminded the impending retirees that every role at the College has been valuable.

“Whether you served as a lecturer, driver, office assistant, or even supported us through deliveries, your contribution has built KMTC into what it is today. Carry that sense of pride into retirement, and use your experience to mentor others,” he said.

In his closing remarks, he likened retirement to a shared journey. “Life is like a train,” he observed.

“At some point, each of us must alight at our appointed station. When that time comes, do so with dignity, pride, and gratitude. Even outside active service, remain ambassadors of KMTC,” he concluded.

The training demonstrates KMTC’s dedication to ensuring that staff not only serve with distinction during their careers but also transition into retirement with dignity, preparedness, and peace of mind.