The top private medical training colleges in Kenya for 2026 charge between KES 60,000 and 150,000 per year, excluding accommodation, uniforms, and clinical indexing fees. These institutions offer medical and health training programmes regulated by the relevant Kenyan authorities, including TVETA and professional regulatory bodies such as the Nursing Council of Kenya and the Clinical Officers Council.
- How We Selected These Colleges
- A Note on Fee Accuracy
- Top 10 Private and Mission Medical Colleges
- 1. Outspan Medical College (OMC)
- 2. AIC Kijabe College of Health Sciences
- 3. Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences (TSMHS)
- 4. North Coast Medical Training College
- 5. Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences
- 6. Nazareth Medical College
- 7. Karen Hospital Medical Training College
- 8. Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health and Research
- 9. AIC Litein Medical Training College
- 10. St. Mary’s School of Clinical Medicine
- Comparative Quick View
- Primary Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions
How We Selected These Colleges
We considered factors including regulatory status, the range of medical training programmes offered, availability of clinical training opportunities, institutional reputation, location, and publicly available fee information. Fees listed below are estimates drawn from aggregated fee guides and third-party listings, not always confirmed directly with each institution, and should be verified with the college before you apply.
A Note on Fee Accuracy
Most of these colleges don’t publish a single fixed annual figure online. Fees are typically broken down per semester or per course, and several institutions, including Outspan Medical College, direct prospective students to contact the admissions office directly rather than publishing a fixed rate online. Course lists can also change between intakes as colleges add or discontinue programmes, so confirm both the current fee structure and course availability directly with the college before applying.
Top 10 Private and Mission Medical Colleges
1. Outspan Medical College (OMC)
Location: Nyeri Town, Nyeri County
Core courses: Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Community Health; Diploma in Nursing (KRCHN); Diploma and Craft in Medical Laboratory Sciences; Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology
Estimated fees: KES 90,000 to 130,000 per year (unconfirmed by the college; contact admissions directly)
Why it stands out: An extension of Outspan Hospital, one of the leading private hospitals in the Mt. Kenya region, giving students access to hospital-based clinical training as part of the programme.
2. AIC Kijabe College of Health Sciences
Location: Kijabe, Kiambu County
Core courses: Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery, KRCHN Nursing, Higher Diploma in Nurse Anaesthesia, Perioperative Nursing
Estimated fees: KES 100,000 to 140,000 per year
Why it stands out: Run by AIC Kijabe Hospital, a faith-based training programme with roots going back to 1980, according to the college’s own history, and a strong reputation in anaesthesia and critical care nursing specifically.
3. Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences (TSMHS)
Location: Main campus in Thika, Kiambu County, with branches in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kitui
Core courses: Diploma in Physiotherapy, Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery, KRCHN Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Records Technology
Estimated fees: KES 85,000 to 120,000 per year
Why it stands out: A four-campus network, useful if you’re weighing location flexibility against a single-campus college, particularly for students who may need to relocate during training.
4. North Coast Medical Training College
Location: Mtwapa, Kilifi County
Core courses: Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Diploma in Community Health, KRCHN Nursing, Pharmacy
Estimated fees: KES 80,000 to 115,000 per year
Why it stands out: Training positioned around coastal regional health needs, worth considering if you plan to practice in that region after graduating. Confirm current accreditation and programme list directly with the college, as we could not independently verify every detail through official sources.
5. Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences
Location: Thika, Kiambu County, and Nakuru
Core courses: Diploma in Pharmacy, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, KRCHN Nursing, Health Records
Estimated fees: KES 75,000 to 110,000 per year
Why it stands out: A TVETA-registered institution that has been expanding its programme list, including newer courses in biomedical equipment support alongside standard clinical courses.
6. Nazareth Medical College
Location: Limuru, Kiambu County
Core courses: Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Diploma in Nursing (KRCHN), Certificate in Community Health
Estimated fees: KES 95,000 to 130,000 per year
Why it stands out: Tied to Nazareth Mission Hospital, giving students hands-on ward experience early in their studies.
7. Karen Hospital Medical Training College
Location: Karen, Nairobi County
Core courses: Diploma in Nursing (KRCHN), specialized cardiology short courses, Critical Care Nursing
Estimated fees: KES 280,000 to 380,000 per year (first-year packages; residential is higher)
Why it stands out: Trains within The Karen Hospital’s own clinical environment, a potential advantage for anyone aiming at critical care or cardiology specialization. Confirm the current course list and exact fee structure directly with the college.
8. Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health and Research
Location: Muthaiga, Nairobi County
Core courses: Higher Diploma in Paediatric Nursing, Diploma in Nursing (KRCHN), Paediatric Critical Care
Estimated fees: KES 140,000 to 180,000 per year
Why it stands out: The clearest specialist option on this list. If paediatric nursing specifically is the goal, this institution’s focus is hard to match elsewhere in the country. Confirm current fees and course offerings directly with the institute.
9. AIC Litein Medical Training College
Location: Litein, Kericho County
Core courses: Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Diploma in Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences
Estimated fees: KES 85,000 to 115,000 per year
Why it stands out: A well-established mission college serving the South Rift region at comparatively affordable rates.
10. St. Mary’s School of Clinical Medicine
Location: Mumias, Kakamega County
Core courses: Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Perioperative Theatre Technology, Community Health and Development
Estimated fees: KES 80,000 to 110,000 per year
Why it stands out: Accredited by TVETA and the Clinical Officers Council, according to the college’s own listing. We could not locate published board exam pass-rate data to independently verify any performance claims for this or any other college on this list, so none is made here.
Comparative Quick View
| College | Main Location | Key Niche | Est. Annual Tuition (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outspan Medical College | Nyeri | Hospital-attached clinicals | 90,000 to 130,000 |
| AIC Kijabe College | Kiambu | Anaesthesia and nursing | 100,000 to 140,000 |
| Thika School (TSMHS) | Thika | Physiotherapy, multi-campus | 85,000 to 120,000 |
| North Coast MTC | Kilifi | Coastal public health | 80,000 to 115,000 |
| Imperial College | Thika / Nakuru | Pharmacy and lab technology | 75,000 to 110,000 |
| Nazareth Medical College | Limuru | Mission hospital-attached | 95,000 to 130,000 |
| Karen Hospital College | Nairobi | Critical care and cardiology | 280,000 to 380,000 |
| Gertrude’s Institute | Nairobi | Paediatric nursing specialism | 140,000 to 180,000 |
| AIC Litein MTC | Kericho | South Rift mission training | 85,000 to 115,000 |
| St. Mary’s Mumias | Kakamega | Clinical medicine and surgery | 80,000 to 110,000 |
One thing worth noting from this fuller comparison: fee level doesn’t automatically track with specialization depth. Gertrude’s, the most paediatric-focused option here, sits at the higher end of the fee range, while broader-scope colleges like North Coast and St. Mary’s are comparatively affordable. For clinical programmes specifically, board examination performance can be a more useful indicator of training outcomes than location or campus prestige alone, though we don’t have verified pass-rate data for any specific college on this list to point to directly.
Related:Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) — Courses, Campuses & Admissions | Business Listings Kenya
Primary Sources
For verifying accreditation, licensing, or registration status of any institution or programme mentioned in this guide, consult the regulators directly: the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), the Nursing Council of Kenya, and the Clinical Officers Council. Individual college pages, where available, are linked throughout this guide. Fees and course listings can change between intakes, so always confirm current details directly with the institution before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private medical colleges in Kenya recognized the same as KMTC?
Yes, provided they’re registered with the relevant statutory board for the specific course, such as the Nursing Council of Kenya for nursing diplomas or the Clinical Officers Council for clinical medicine. Registration and accreditation status for the specific programme, not the “private” or “public” label, determines whether your qualification is recognized for licensing.
What’s the minimum KCSE grade needed for these diploma courses?
Most diploma programmes require a C plain overall, along with specific subject grades in biology, chemistry, and either physics or mathematics depending on the course. Certificate-level courses generally accept a C- or D+. Requirements vary by college and course, so confirm the exact breakdown before applying.
When do these colleges open new intakes?
January, May, and September are the most common intake months across these institutions, though exact dates vary by college and course. Confirm directly with the admissions office, since intake announcements are usually made a few months ahead.
Do hospital-attached colleges guarantee a job after graduation?
No. Hospital-attached colleges like Outspan, AIC Kijabe, Nazareth, and Karen Hospital give students earlier and more consistent clinical exposure, which can strengthen a graduate’s practical skills and CV, but employment still depends on licensing, individual performance, and available vacancies at graduation time.
Are these fee ranges the full cost of studying?
No. The ranges listed cover tuition only where specified. Accommodation, uniforms, clinical indexing fees, and exam registration are usually billed separately and can add a meaningful amount to the total annual cost. Always request an itemized fee structure before budgeting.