West Pokot County grants KMTC multimillion facility to expand training
The County Government of West Pokot has approved Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) to occupy a large building in Kapenguria town to support teaching and learning.
The announcement was made by Governor Simon Kachapin on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, during a meeting with KMTC’s Board of Directors, led by the Chairperson Mr. Joseah K. Cheruiyot.
The multimillion-shilling facility, situated on a 26-acre land, includes 13 classrooms, a hostel with a capacity of 300 beds, 14 offices, a multipurpose hall that can accommodate over 500 people, a library, and an ICT laboratory, among other amenities.
The county completed the construction of the facility seven years ago with the intent of opening its first ECD college. However, priorities shifted after locals asked the leaders to consider handing over the facility to KMTC to attract lucrative investment opportunities to the region.
“When people think of West Pokot, they often associate it with banditry, but our county is peaceful, with fertile land and hospitable people,” said Governor Kachapin. “We want to change this perception by hosting thousands of KMTC students from other counties, who can then promote our county positively. Positive feedback is crucial for marketing a place,” he added.
The Governor noted that the region has lagged in development since independence and emphasized the need to create opportunities for locals. He mentioned that West Pokot was designated a “closed” district during the colonial era, serving as a buffer between the northern “White Highlands,” Kenya’s European-settled areas, and the fluctuating boundaries of Turkana.
The region received its first college in 2015 with the opening of the KMTC Kapenguria Campus.
“Since then, we have seen significant interest in the region. We believe KMTC has a bright future, as its graduates are in demand globally,” he said. “By providing more space and equipment, we hope to accommodate a large number of students. Consequently, we will create more opportunities for our youths.”
West Pokot County, located in the North Rift region, neighbors Trans-Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to the south, Baringo County to the east, Turkana County to the north, and the Kenya-Uganda border to the west.
Hundreds of locals, along with leaders including Deputy Governor Robert Komolle, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), and County Executive Committee (CEC) members, attended the event before the team assembled in the governor’s office for talks.
Mr. Cheruiyot thanked the county for choosing KMTC to take over the facility, saying, “We are aware that many institutions could have been considered, and selecting KMTC shows how highly you value us.” The Board Chairperson pledged to work closely with the county to operationalize the facility.
CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch thanked the Governor for seconding 15 staff members from the county to work at the College and announced that courses in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine, Medical Imaging Sciences, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training would be introduced.
Board Directors Ms. Hardlyne Lusui and Mr. Paul Cheboi, Kapenguria Campus Principal Mr. Allan Ichaminya, staff, and students were also present.
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