KMTC moves to secure future of health workforce in strategic alliance with KUTRRH
A strategic partnership is taking shape between Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), seen as a deliberate and forward-looking move to secure the future of Kenya’s healthcare workforce.
During a high-level meeting held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, KMTC leadership made a strong case for enhanced collaboration, framing the engagement as both institutional cooperation, and a critical intervention to protect and strengthen clinical training opportunities for thousands of College students across the country.
Leading the KMTC delegation, Board Chairperson Mr. Joseah K. Cheruiyot underscored the urgency of the moment. “This is a strategic investment in the future of our students and, by extension, the health of our country. Accessible, high-quality clinical training is non-negotiable if we are to produce competent professionals,” he said.
KMTC CEO Dr Kelly Oluoch reiterated the Chairperson’s sentiments, describing the partnership as a safeguard for student training pathways amid increasing pressure on clinical placement spaces. “We are taking deliberate steps to ensure sustainable, high-quality training environments for our students. This partnership guarantees they are not left behind in an increasingly competitive clinical training landscape,” he stated.
At the heart of KMTC’s proposals were measures aimed at removing barriers to training - including increased placement slots, reduced financial burden on students, and structured supervision through faculty involvement. These, leaders emphasised, are essential to ensuring equity and quality in medical education.
KUTRRH leadership welcomed the engagement, signalling openness to a partnership that aligns training with the hospital’s commitment to excellence.
Board Chairperson Mr. James Wambu acknowledged the shared responsibility in shaping Kenya’s health sector. “We appreciate KMTC’s role in building the nation’s health workforce. Where we are able to support, we will, because this is ultimately about delivering better healthcare for Kenyans,” he said.
The Hospital’s CEO Dr. Zeinab Gura highlighted the need to balance expanded access with quality standards. “We are committed to collaboration, but we must also ensure that training maintains the highest standards. With the right structures, this partnership can be transformative,” she stated.
The importance of this partnership lies in the unique strengths each institution offers. KMTC, with 100 years of experience and a diverse, established training curriculum, remains the backbone of Kenya’s health training system. KUTRRH, on the other hand, embodies the future of specialised care, featuring advanced infrastructure, a 650-bed capacity, and cutting-edge technologies such as the CyberKnife, making it one of only two hospitals in Africa equipped with this technology.
A joint committee is now set to formalise the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding, signalling the beginning of what could become a cornerstone partnership in Kenya’s journey toward a resilient, future-ready health system.
