Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, appeared before a joint sitting of the Parliamentary Committees on Health and Education on Thursday, April 24, 2025, to advocate for the inclusion of KMTC students in the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding scheme.
Speaking at Parliament Buildings, Dr. Oluoch emphasized the urgent need for equitable financing of health education, placing KMTC students on the same footing as their counterparts in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
“As a College, we have consistently appealed for the inclusion of our students in the HELB funding program,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Dr. Oluoch informed lawmakers that 34 percent of students admitted to KMTC fail to report due to financial constraints. A further 27 percent, he added, begin their training but are forced to discontinue midway for the same reason.
Currently, the College is grappling with unpaid student fees amounting to Kshs. 1.54 billion, underscoring the magnitude of the funding crisis,” he noted.
Dr. Oluoch appealed to Parliament to view investment in health training as a strategic imperative.
“The sustainability of our healthcare system and the success of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) depend on continuous investment in the training of healthcare professionals,” he said. “Addressing funding gaps will reduce student dropout rates and enhance the efficiency of public resource utilization.”
He urged lawmakers to take decisive action and support, including KMTC students, in the national student financing framework.
The College's appearance was made upon invitation by the Ministry of Health.
“Expect to be served within the shortest time possible,” was the message from Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) CEO, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, during the Citizen’s Service Delivery Charter review on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Kisumu.
The College is banking on service automation, including the introduction of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM), to enable customers to receive services at the press of a button.
This means that whether you make an inquiry via social media, email, phone call, or walk-in, you will be assisted within a few hours.
Dr. Oluoch emphasized that the initiative upholds KMTC’s promise to deliver high-quality, efficient services to the public.
He highlighted the importance of the charter as a reflection of the College’s commitment to providing exceptional service, and stressed the role of technology in improving operations and ensuring seamless experiences for customers across all campuses.
Meanwhile, the CEO urged the College fraternity to support the nationwide implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) program, which is set to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) by October 1, 2024.
He revealed that KMTC has been assigned two counties, Kisumu and Homa Bay, to lead efforts in raising awareness and mobilizing local residents to adopt the initiative.
In preparation for the rollout, the College has introduced a Diploma in Health Insurance Management to equip the country for the new health insurance scheme.
This transition is expected to significantly advance Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda by making healthcare more affordable, accessible, and high quality for all citizens.
The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) on Friday, October 4, 2024, welcomed a high-level delegation from Roche and Beyond Zero as part of an ongoing partnership to support the Enrolled Community Health Nursing (ECHN) Program.
Since 2016, KMTC has collaborated with Roche and Beyond Zero to offer scholarships to needy but deserving students from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties and other marginalized areas.
The visiting team, led by Roche’s Chief People Officer, Cristina A. Wilbur, and Beyond Zero’s Chief of Staff, Constance Gakonyo, met with KMTC leadership, including Board Chairperson Mr. Joseah K. Cheruiyot and CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch.
Mr. Cheruiyot expressed gratitude to Roche, acknowledging the positive impact their support has had in reducing maternal mortality rates in ASAL regions.
CEO Dr. Oluoch added that the scholarships are providing much-needed hope to many families. “Some students arrive at KMTC with nothing but empty bags, demonstrating the depth of their need. Your support has truly changed their lives,” he said.
Dr. Oluoch highlighted the importance of training ECHNs for marginalized communities, stating, “When ECHNs are trained and deployed to their home regions, we see higher retention rates due to their local ties and understanding of cultural and linguistic barriers to healthcare access.”
The scholarships cover tuition fees, uniforms, meals, vaccinations, and other essentials.
Ms. Wilbur expressed her appreciation for KMTC’s commitment to the partnership, noting, “It is rare to find such a great partner, but we have found one in KMTC and Beyond Zero.” She emphasized Roche’s intention to continue the partnership for long-term impact.
During the visit, beneficiaries shared how the program has transformed their lives.
Since 2016, a total of 1,200 ECHNs have received training through a collaboration between KMTC, the World Bank, and Beyond Zero. In March 2024, an additional 124 trainees joined the program.
Also in attendance were Board Directors Mr. Paul Cheboi and Ms. Eunice Karanja, along with Deputy Director of Academics, Dr. Nyawira Mwangi, among others.
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