Funding Crisis Affects KMTC: 34% of Students haven’t Reported Back

Funding Crisis Affects KMTC: 34% of Students Do Not Report, Sh1. 54B in Unpaid Fees Threaten Healthcare

Kenya’s healthcare education system is experiencing a significant issue, with more than a third of students enrolled at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) not reporting due to insufficient funding.

KMTC CEO Kelly Oluoch disclosed the alarming figures during a recent press conference, emphasizing that 34% of students granted admission do not attend — and an additional 27% withdraw during their courses for similar financial reasons.

Oluoch mentioned that the college currently faces Sh1. 54 billion in outstanding student fees, illustrating a grim situation regarding the financial difficulties faced by students.

“We are witnessing too many young, enthusiastic students abandoning their aspirations of working in healthcare because they simply cannot afford to continue their education,” he stated.

KMTC is Kenya’s leading institution for educating healthcare professionals, providing the majority of nurses, clinical officers, and community health workers throughout the nation.

However, these financial challenges now endanger efforts to enhance the country’s healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved regions where demand is highest.

The rates of dropout and non-reporting are not merely academic issues — they represent a national threat to healthcare provision and the upcoming workforce.

Oluoch is currently urging the government, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector to urgently intervene with effective solutions.

These solutions include improved scholarship initiatives, adaptable fee payment options, and sustainable funding schemes for disadvantaged students.

“If we neglect to assist these students today, we are jeopardizing our ability to provide quality healthcare in the future,” he cautioned.

As Kenya contends with shortages in healthcare staffing and increasing demand for medical services, the KMTC funding crisis highlights a more profound issue: access to education is not only about opportunity — it’s about ensuring the future of public health.