KMTC placement nullified

By Peter Ochieng

Students who had missed out on the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) placement for September, 2023 have a reason to be hopeful.

Members of Parliament (MPs) aligned to the National Assembly committee in health termed the selection and placement exercise null and void.

The move came shortly after Agnes Mercy Wohome, CEO, Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), informed the country that only 11, 975 out of over 42, 000 who had applied to study medical related courses at 71 KMTC campuses across the country were granted a nod.

This means over 30, 000 applicants missed out.

Robert Pukose, chairman of the health committee in the National Assembly said the exercise was marred by irregularities.

“It is obvious that the process is null and void, there is a court order that clearly says placement of students should be done by the KMTC board, by KUCCPS conducting the placement is illegal,” ruled the Endebess MP. He directed KUCCPS.to transfer Sh8.4 million that was paid by the applicants to KMTC, adding that they should not pay again during fresh application.

"It should be clear that the student who had paid the application fee should not repay when reapplying, but on how the selection will be done, we will leave it to the board."

Traditionally, KMTC has been doing the selection and placement of applicants, before KUCCPS took up the responsibility.

Cabinet Secretary for health Susan Nakhumicha defended KUCCPS involvement in the exercise, stating that she was acting on an executive order.