The Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs) offer a vast array of Diploma and Certificate courses in health-related fields. Currently, there are about 90 KMTCs across the country.
KMTC recently increased opportunities in Community Health Programmes, and introduced courses such as Diploma in Health Insurance (KMTC) to provide skilled workers for the Universal Health Care Programmes.
They also introduced the Diploma in Mortuary Science course to provide professionally-trained morticians in morgues.
Medical programmes in KMTCs are highly marketable, attracting umpteen applications in every intake for students compared to marketable medical courses in Kenya.
To enhance quality, most of the KMTC programmes are regulated by proficient professional bodies such as Kenya Nursing Council.
KMTC Admission Requirements and KCSE Cluster Subjects
Applicants should ensure that their cluster subjects meet the minimum requirements when applying to KMTC diploma courses and KMTC certificate courses.
For instance, the cluster subjects for health science course offered in KMTCs include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili.
Meaning, doing the three Sciences — Physics, Chemistry and Biology — gives a student an edge or advantage in career choices.
Some medical courses require foundational knowledge of the three Sciences.
Then, when I write that a course requires Mathematics or Physics, it does not mean that a student can fail and fall flat in Mathematics, but still qualify for a particular course due to the peerless performance in Physics.
Largely, Mathematics is compulsory in all courses, and there is no debate about that for KMTC qualifications.
Diploma Courses Offered at KMTC (List & Requirements)
Getting down to the brass tacks, KMTC diploma courses available in KMTCs include Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Diploma in Emergency Medical Technology, and Diploma in Health Counselling.
All of which require a mean grade of C (plain) in KCSE for applicants researching KMTC diploma courses C plain.
For Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology, applicants require C (plain) in English or Kiswahili and a C- (Minus) in Mathematics.
And at least a D+ (plus) in Biology for those searching Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology KMTC requirements.
Diploma in Kenya Registered Health Nursing also has a minimum entry grade of C (plain) in KCSE, and it requires a C (plain) in either English or Kiswahili and Biology.
Applicants must have at least a C- (minus) in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics to meet KMTC nursing requirements.
Other Diploma programmes include: Diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing and Mid-wifery, Diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing (Mental Health and Psychiatry), Diploma in Medical Engineering, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science, Diploma in Medical Social Work, and Diploma in Mortuary Science.
There are also Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Diploma in Optometry, Diploma in Orthopaedic Technology, Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine, Diploma in Pharmacy, Diploma in Physiotherapy, Diploma in Public Health, Diploma in Radiography and Imaging, and Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy.
These courses and requirements are summarized in the table below:
Diploma Courses & Requirements
| Diploma Programme (KMTC) | Minimum Entry Requirement (KCSE) |
| Clinical Medicine and Surgery | C (plain) mean grade |
| Emergency Medical Technology | C (plain) mean grade |
| Health Counselling | C (plain) mean grade |
| Health Records & Information Technology | C (plain) in English or Kiswahili; C- (minus) in Mathematics; D+ (plus) in Biology |
| Kenya Registered Health Nursing | C (plain) mean grade; C (plain) in either English or Kiswahili and Biology; at least C- (minus) in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics |
| Other Diploma programmes named above |
Certificate Courses Offered at KMTC (Entry Grades)
Some of the certificate courses in KMTCs include Certificate in Community Health Assistant, Certificate in Health Records and Information Technology, Certificate in Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nursing, Certificate in Medical Emergency Technician, Certificate in Public Health, and Certificate in Orthopaedic Trauma Medicine.
The minimum entry requirement is a KCSE Mean Grade of C- (minus) for applicants exploring KMTC certificate courses requirements.
D+ (plus) is required for applicants interested in Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics and Certificate in Medical Engineering for searches like KMTC certificate courses D plus.
Certificate Courses & Minimum KCSE Grades
| Certificate Programme (KMTC) | Minimum Entry Requirement (KCSE) |
| Community Health Assistant | C- (minus) mean grade |
| Health Records & Information Technology | C- (minus) mean grade |
| Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nursing | C- (minus) mean grade |
| Medical Emergency Technician | C- (minus) mean grade |
| Public Health | C- (minus) mean grade |
| Orthopaedic Trauma Medicine | C- (minus) mean grade |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | D+ (plus) |
| Medical Engineering | D+ (plus) |
About the Author and Career Guidance (Choosing KMTC Courses After KCSE)
The writer is an educator — academic and career consultant who offers guidance for KMTC intakes and how to apply to KMTC.
He speaks about Career Choices in Career Fairs and guides Form 2 students on Selection of Subjects.
He guides Form 4 students on Choice of Courses for learners comparing best KMTC courses after KCSE.
vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232