Young people in Kericho aspiring to pursue health related careers could soon realize their dreams, following a landmark County Executive decision to set aside five acres of public land for the establishment of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Kipkelion campus, Kipkelion West Sub county.
Beyond creating another learning institution, the investment signals a strategic shift in how Kericho is deploying public resources to generate long term economic value.
By converting public land into a catalyst for human capital development, healthcare expansion and local enterprise growth, the county is laying the foundation for an investment expected to deliver social and economic returns, while strengthening the county’s productive capacity.
The approval, made during the 127th County Executive meeting chaired by Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, places the proposed KMTC campus at the centre of the county’s 2026/27 Financial Year development investment strategy. The project is among a package of high impact capital investments and policy interventions designed to maximize returns on public expenditure, accelerate budget implementation and stimulate inclusive economic growth across key sectors.
To minimize establishment costs and optimize public investment, the county allocated a five acre parcel adjacent to Kipkelion Sub County Hospital, Kipkelion West Sub county, creating an integrated medical education and healthcare hub.
The location will enable students to undertake practical clinical training within an existing health facility while maximizing utilization of public infrastructure and reducing future capital expenditure requirements.
The allocation of public land constitutes a significant equity contribution by the county towards the project, lowering the overall investment threshold, while strengthening collaboration with the national government in expanding tertiary medical education.
Once operational, the campus is expected to unlock substantial economic multipliers through increased student enrolment, demand for housing, transport, retail trade, hospitality services and professional employment within Kipkelion and the neighbouring towns.
The investment also represents a deliberate commitment to strengthening human capital, widely recognized as one of the most productive forms of public expenditure.
A larger pool of skilled healthcare workers will not only improve healthcare service delivery, but also support Kenya’s long term economic competitiveness by addressing workforce gaps in the health sector.
Dr. Mutai said the county was prioritizing investments that generate measurable economic returns while improving essential public services and creating sustainable opportunities for residents.
The KMTC project formed part of a broader package of development approvals by the County Executive including the operationalization of strategic agro processing investments, expansion of healthcare infrastructure, improved urban planning and reforms aimed at strengthening the livestock economy, all of which are intended to improve budget efficiency, stimulate investment and enhance the county’s economic resilience.
By Gilbert Mutai
