Revealing the Most Popular Courses at KMTC {Exclusive}
In the bustling halls of Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), a vibrant academic scene unfolds. According to the 2025 Kenya Economic Survey, Orthopaedic Plaster Technology tops the list for certificate-level courses, while Nursing has once again claimed the spotlight as the most enrolled program for the fifth year running. The report reveals that out of 29,326 aspiring medical professionals who enrolled last year, diploma nursing students comprised the largest cohort.
For the 2023/24 academic year, a remarkable 4,825 students are pursuing diplomas in Community Health Nursing. Following closely is Clinical Medicine & Surgery with 2,567 enrollees, while Health Records and Information Technology welcomes 2,016 students. Community Health and Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine courses also attract significant numbers, with 1,832 and 1,615 students, respectively.
At the certificate level, Orthopaedic Plaster Technology leads with 1,696 students, trailed by Community Health Assistant (1,645), Health Records & Information Technology (1,623), Emergency Medical Technician (1,539), and Community Nursing (1,409).
The Economic Survey highlights a notable growth in middle-level medical trainees, rising from 26,830 in the 2020/21 academic year to 29,326 in 2023/24. This data was unveiled in Nairobi on May 6 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
Conversely, higher diploma courses represent a smaller fraction of the student body, with only 702 trainees across various specializations, including pharmacy, nursing, medical engineering, and clinical medicine and surgery.
It’s important to note that high enrolment figures don’t necessarily equate to popularity. These numbers often reflect the availability of training slots or the demands of the national workforce. To truly gauge student preference, one would need insight into which courses attract the most applications and where competition for limited spots is most intense.
The survey also reveals that Kenya boasts a total of 64,449 registered nurses, with 7,874 holding Bachelor of Science degrees, 49,871 possessing diplomas, and 6,704 with certificates. Clinical officers number 30,800, comprised of 28,712 diploma holders and 2,154 degree holders.
KMTC stands out as the premier institution for mid-level medical training in Kenya. In 2024, a staggering 56,516 individuals applied for various diploma courses, yet only around 19,000 were granted admission, leaving 36,863 hopefuls—65 percent of applicants—without a spot. Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu noted during a stakeholder forum that the demand for KMTC programs far exceeds the available slots.
Despite these strong enrolment trends, the number of graduates saw a decline in the most recent academic year. The Economic Survey reports a 6.8 percent drop in middle-level medical graduates, totaling 21,147 for the 2023/24 academic year. In December 2024, KMTC celebrated the graduation of 21,147 students, with female graduates outnumbering males at 67.2 percent of the total.
Diploma holders made up the majority of graduates at 53.7 percent, while certificate holders accounted for 43.9 percent, and those with higher diplomas represented a mere 2.4 percent. The previous year, December 2023, marked a historic milestone for KMTC, with 22,695 students graduating—the highest in the college’s 96-year legacy.
During the graduation ceremony at Moi International Sports Stadium in Kasarani, college CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch expressed pride in the graduates, stating, “These individuals, having undergone extensive training, are exceptionally prepared to drive advancements in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.”
