First and foremost, students who sat for KCSE in 2025 should know that, from April 7, 2026, to May 6, 2026, the KUCCPS portal is open for the following applications: Degree programmes in universities. A Diploma in Secondary Education is offered at Lugari, Kibabii and Kagumo Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs). Diploma (Level 6), Craft Certificate (Level 5) and Artisan Certificate (Level 4) offered in Technical and Vocational and Education Training (TVET)-recognised colleges. Then, there are several Diploma and Certificate Programmes available for grabs in the Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs).
Ideally, in the current applications on the KUCCPS portal, the Diploma in Nursing is missing. Haply, because there was an application for the March 2026 intake. Then, KUCCPS notified the public that there would be another application for the September 2026 intake. The former application exempted the KCSE Class of 2025. Whereas the latter application will consider them.
Actually, in the ongoing April/May 2026 KMTC applications on the KUCCPS portal, there are 31 Diploma and Certificate Programmes available for grabs. The oodles of Diploma Programmes include: Diploma in Health Counselling, Diploma in Health Insurance Management, Diploma in Health Promotion, Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology, Diploma in Medical Engineering, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Diploma in Medical Social Work, Diploma in Mortuary Science, Diploma in Nutrition in Dietetics, Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Diploma in Optometry, Diploma in Orthopedic Technology, Diploma in Orthopedic and Trauma Medicine, Diploma in Pharmacy, Diploma in Public Health, Diploma in Physiotherapy, Diploma in Public Health, Diploma in Radiography and Imaging, Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy, Diploma in Emerging Medical Technology, Diploma in Dental Technology, Diploma in Community Oral Health, Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery.
Withal, the available Certificate Programmes in the ongoing April/May 2026 KMTC applications include: Certificate in Public Health, Certificate in Orthopaedic Trauma and Medicine, Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics, Certificate in Medical Engineering, Certificate in Health Records and Information Technology, Certificate in Health Insurance Management, Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician and Certificate in Community Health Assistant.
New Programmes in KMTCs
Broadly, there are over 90 KMTCs spread across the country. They offer a vast array of Diploma and Certificate Programmes in health-related fields. Then, recently, KMTCs increased opportunities in Community Health Programmes by introducing a Diploma in Health Insurance, to provide skilled workers for Universal Health Care Programmes. They also introduced a Diploma in Mortuary Science to provide professionally trained morticians in mortuaries. Medical programmes in KMTCs are highly marketable, attracting umpteen applications in every intake. To enhance quality, most of the KMTC programmes are regulated by the Kenya Nursing Council (KNC).
Importantly, applicants should ensure that their cluster subjects meet minimum requirements. For instance, the cluster subjects for health science courses offered in KMTCs include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. Meaning, doing Pure Science — Physics, Chemistry and Biology — gives a student an edge or advantage in career choices. For 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 flop in Mathematics, but still qualify for a particular course due to nonpareil performance in Physics alone. In Medical courses with a special bent on machines Diploma or Certificate in Medical Engineering, Physics is a key requirement. Majorly, Mathematics is compulsory in all courses. There is no debate about that. Students should score more in Mathematics.
Diploma Programmes in KMTCs
Generally, the Diploma Programmes 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 as pointed out in The Essential Career Guide. For Diploma in Health Records and Information Technology, applicants require a C (plain) in English or Kiswahili and a C- (Minus) in Mathematics. Then, at least a D+ (plus) in Biology.
Moreover, a 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. Other Diploma Programmes include: Diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing and Midwifery, 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.
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Furthermore, we have a Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, a Diploma in Occupational Therapy and Diploma in Optometry, a Diploma in Orthopaedic Technology, a Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine, a Diploma in Pharmacy, a Diploma in Physiotherapy, a Diploma in Public Health, a Diploma in Radiography and Imaging and a Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy.
Certificate Programmes in KMTCs
Finally, 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). D+ (plus) is required for applicants interested in the Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics and the Certificate in Medical Engineering.
By Victor Ochieng’
Victor Ochieng’ is a career educator. He guides students on making informed career choices. For one-on-one assistance. Call or WhatsApp: 0704420232
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