Kirinyaga County has embarked on a historic step toward strengthening her healthcare sector following the commencement of construction works for the proposed Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
The college, the first ever to be set in the county, lies on a two-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital and is expected to open up hundreds of training opportunities, expand the county’s medical workforce, and solidify Kerugoya’s position as a rising center for healthcare excellence.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru presided over the groundbreaking ceremony accompanied by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, senior county officials, members of the County Assembly, and local residents.
Speaking during the event, the governor described the project as a long-overdue investment that will transform access to medical education, particularly for learners from rural and low-income households who have for years been forced to seek training in distant counties or in costly private institutions.
For decades, youths in Kirinyaga aspiring to join the medical profession have endured financial strain due to the lack of a public training facility. Many dreams have been cut short as families struggled to raise tuition, accommodation, and upkeep fees for institutions outside the county.
Others forfeited opportunities altogether due to the high cost of private colleges. The establishment of the KMTC Kirinyaga Campus now marks the beginning of a new era, one that promises affordable, accessible, and high-quality training close to home.
Construction has begun with a modern two-story academic block that will house administrative offices, a fully equipped library, spacious lecture halls, medical laboratories, ICT labs, and specialized skills rooms for hands-on training.
The building, expected to host at least 200 students in its first phase, is designed to allow future expansion as demand grows. The governor emphasized that the institution will be built to global standards to ensure that students are exposed to both competence-based learning and real clinical environments.
She noted that the new college fits into the county’s broader vision of making Kerugoya a “Wellness City,” anchored on advanced infrastructure and upgraded medical facilities.
Kerugoya Level Five Hospital already attracts over 150 students annually from various institutions for practical experience due to its modern theaters, diagnostic center, critical care units, and maternity wing.
The county has also invested heavily in upgrading level four hospitals in Kianyaga, Kimbimbi, and Sagana, creating a strong network of facilities ideal for professional training and clinical rotations.
According to the governor, the KMTC will not only increase the number of skilled health workers but also enhance the quality of care across all wards by linking training, service delivery, and innovation.
“We are building a center of excellence that will support medical professionals today and for generations to come,” she said.
Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, saying the project will be funded by the NG-CDF and the first phase will take one year, hailed the initiative as a landmark achievement made possible through the governor’s leadership and intergovernmental cooperation.
He said the absence of a KMTC in Kirinyaga had delayed many promising careers, with some students giving up entirely due to lack of affordable options.
“For too long, many dreams have been paralyzed because our children had no medical training institution within reach. Today marks the end of that struggle. This institution will change lives, empower our youth, and support our entire healthcare system,” Gitari said.
Gitari requested the governor to reserve more land in the future to allow construction of student hostels, noting that accommodation challenges may discourage learners, and saying he will approach the Ministry of Housing to build some hostels for learners.
County Assembly Speaker Murimi Mutemi praised the unity displayed by leaders in making the project a reality, saying the dream of establishing a KMTC in Kirinyaga has existed since independence.
He said that when leaders speak in one voice, the community receives tangible benefits, and he encouraged the inclusion of experienced leaders in governance roles to sustain the development momentum.
Inoi MCA Fredrick Maina also welcomed the project, crediting the governor’s positive working relationship with MPs and the county assembly.
He said many parents have silently suffered financially while trying to educate their children in private colleges, and the upcoming KMTC will ease this burden.
Residents expressed optimism, noting that the new institution would not only bring services closer but also elevate Kerugoya’s economic profile. Kerugoya resident Jane Wambui said healthcare services in the county have greatly improved since the upgrade of the referral hospital, especially the maternity wing.
She believes that the presence of trainers and students from KMTC will further strengthen service delivery and attract more specialized care.
Community Health Promoter Rachael Mbuche lauded the county for equipping community health workers, saying training institutions such as KMTC will help frontline workers deepen their skills, enhance disease prevention, and improve household-level health outcomes.
With the construction of the first KMTC now underway, Kirinyaga stands on the verge of a transformative era.
The new institution is expected to broaden access to medical education, strengthen the county’s health workforce, spur economic growth, and position Kerugoya as a regional hub for medical innovation.
Leaders and residents alike view the project not just as an infrastructure development, but as a generational investment that will uplift families, create opportunities, and shape the county’s future for decades to come.
by David Wandeto
