KISII, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced plans to recruit additional lecturers at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) to strengthen training capacity and support the country’s push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking on Wednesday during the official opening of KMTC Gucha Campus, the President said the government will allocate resources in the next financial year to improve staffing levels at the institution, citing the urgent need to expand Kenya’s healthcare workforce.
“For us to effectively realise our UHC agenda, we will require more health professionals. This can only be achieved when we have adequate lecturers to train our students,” Ruto said.
The move comes amid growing demand for healthcare services and increased student enrolment across KMTC campuses, which has strained existing teaching capacity.
Officials say improving the student-to-staff ratio is critical to maintaining training quality and ensuring graduates are adequately prepared for the health sector.
Ruto noted that the government has already made progress in expanding KMTC staffing, revealing that 600 personnel were recruited in 2025 following a presidential directive.
The planned recruitment is expected to build on these gains and address persistent shortages in teaching staff.
The President linked the initiative directly to Kenya’s broader health policy goals, particularly the implementation of UHC, a flagship programme aimed at ensuring all citizens have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
The event formed part of the President’s meet-the-people tour of the Gusii region, where he also unveiled a series of infrastructure projects aimed at improving learning conditions across KMTC campuses.
Among the developments announced are the construction of affordable housing units at Nyamache and Nyamira campuses, as well as new lecture halls to support expanding academic programmes.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni were among senior officials accompanying the President during the event.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati also attended, alongside KMTC leadership, including Board Chairperson Joseah Cheruiyot and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kelly Oluoch.
KMTC remains the country’s primary institution for training mid-level healthcare professionals, operating more than 70 campuses nationwide.
According to government data, a significant proportion of Kenya’s health workforce passes through the institution, underscoring its strategic importance in national health planning.
Policy experts note that investment in medical training infrastructure and personnel is critical to meeting constitutional obligations under Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to the highest attainable standard of health.
The planned expansion signals a continued government focus on strengthening the health sector through education, as Kenya seeks to build a resilient system capable of delivering universal care.
