Background Information

Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Karen Campus is a “Centre of Excellence” in Training Nutrition and Dietetic courses. It is situated in high-end residential area of Karen, about 22 kilometers from Nairobi City on a 12.5 acre piece of land. It is situated about 14 miles south west of Nairobi, facing the slopes of Ngong Hills.

Karen Campus was established in 1965 by the Danish Government in honor of world-known Danish author – Karen Blixen (1885-1962), who wrote her works in Danish and English. Karen Blixen is best known under her pen names Isak Dinesen, used in English-speaking countries, and Tania Blixen, used in German-speaking countries. She also published works using the aliases Osceola and Pierre Andrézel. During her stay in Kenya between (1912- 1931) as Danish settler, she established Karen land (6000 acres). Of this land, about 600 acres were used for a coffee plantation; 3,400 acres used by the natives for grazing; while 2,000 acres of virgin forest were left untouched. While on the Karen land, Ms. Blixen taught African girls subjects such as hygiene, food preparation and basic First Aid, outside her house, which is now Karen Blixen Museum.

Karen Campus was first established at Karen House (now- Karen Blixen Museum). After Kenya attained independence in 1963, the Danish Government donated “Karen House”, with its 36 acres of land and constructed the current Campus next to Karen Blixen Museum.  The Campus was then handed over to the Kenya Government in 1965 and was officially inaugurated by the then Vice President of the Republic of Kenya Hon. Joseph Murumbi on 2^nd September 1966. The Karen House then became the Principal’s residence until 1985. Due to large number of tourists interested in the Karen House, Kenya Museum Society requested the Government to convert it to a museum, resulting in the establishment of Karen Blixen Museum.

Danish Collaboration

Although the Karen Campus was built by the Danish Government, its planning was carried out in close collaboration with the Kenyan Government. Between 1965 and 1971, the administration of the College was by a Consultative Board. The Board, with representatives from the Kenyan Ministries concerned and the Danish Government, was entrusted with the educational planning of the Campus, while the day to day administration was the responsibility of a Danish Principal. The Campus was staffed with Danish and Kenyan teachers of nutrition, hygiene, and gardening. The agreement was that the Danish people were to run the Campus for five years between 1965 and 1970, and hand it over to the Ministry of Health- Division of Medical Training College (MTC). The first African Principal, Rosemary Moraa, took over in 1976.

In 1997, high demand for training in the field resulted in the establishment of an in-service diploma Course in Nutrition, targeting those who had done certificate technician course. The certificate course was eventually phased out to give way to a diploma course in Nutrition in 2001. However, due to demand, the two-year certificate course was re-introduced in 2010.

Programmes and Courses currently offered

• Certificate in Nutrition & Dietetics -Two years duration
• Pre-service Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics -Three years duration
• Upgrading Diploma Nutrition & Dietetics -Two years duration

Facilities

• Classrooms
• Administrative and lecturers’ offices
• Well-equipped food laboratory
• Computer IT laboratory
• Student clinic
• Nutrition Skills lab
• Demonstration gardens
• College bus
• Fire-fighting equipment and fire assembly hall
• Borehole for water supply
• Hostels

Student Population

The current student population is 530, with this number expected to increase in the next intake.

Clubs, Societies and Sports

The following sports and games are offered:

• Athletics (short and long races)
• Field Events- throws and jumps
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Lawn/table tennis & badminton
• Handball
• Football (soccer)
• Leg ball (ladies’ soccer)
• Indoor games-scrabble and chess.

Cultural club – Quarterly events : -Food, music, dance and activities from different cultures across Kenya/region.

Environmental Club -Monthly environmental activities

Religious Clubs: –

• Christian Union
• Seventh Day Adventists (SDA)
• Young Catholic Students (YCS)
• Muslims Club

 Campus Contact Information: –

The Principal

KMTC Karen Campus

P.O BOX 24921-00502

Karen- Nairobi

TEL: 0746520008