Students at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) have received a major boost following the government’s decision to reinstate the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) sponsorship program.

The move, outlined in the 2024/2025 supplementary budget, sees the National Treasury set aside KSh500 million to support financially struggling students at the institution.

KMTC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kelly Oluoch confirmed the development, expressing optimism that the funds would ease the financial burden on many students. He assured students that once the funds are disbursed, KMTC will coordinate with HELB to facilitate the application process.

“We anticipate that the Treasury will release the money within the next few weeks. As soon as the funds are deposited into our account, we will liaise with HELB to open the application portal for eligible students,” Dr. Oluoch stated.

This announcement comes as a great relief to thousands of students who had been left in uncertainty after government funding for higher learning institutions underwent restructuring. An earlier directive had redirected Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) funds exclusively to institutions under the Ministry of Education, inadvertently sidelining KMTC students from financial aid.

According to Dr. Oluoch, the College, through the Ministry of Health, appeared before various arms of the National Assembly, including the Pending Bills Verification Committee on January 29, 2024, and the Departmental Committee on Health on February 23, 2024, among others, to push for the reinstatement of the program.

In addition, the CEO, accompanied by Board Chairperson Joseah K. Cheruiyot, presented the matter to President William Ruto during the official opening of the KMTC Kerio Valley Campus on January 9, 2025.

For many students, the absence of financial assistance had made it increasingly difficult to continue their training. Some had even contemplated dropping out due to the high cost of medical education. The reinstatement of HELB funding now guarantees access to financial aid, allowing students to focus on their studies without undue financial strain.

Education stakeholders have applauded the government’s intervention, noting that ensuring continuous training for medical students is vital for strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system. The funds will play a crucial role in ensuring a steady supply of well-trained medical professionals to serve communities across the country.

Students have been urged to stay informed and monitor official communication from HELB regarding the application process to ensure they do not miss out on the opportunity. The reintroduction of this funding marks a significant step in securing the future of medical trainees and by extension, the nation’s healthcare sector.