By John Mutiso
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is once again at the centre of national attention after Members of Parliament demanded answers over a series of financial and governance issues that have dragged on for years.
The institution appeared before the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), where lawmakers expressed frustration over what they described as repeated failures to resolve long-standing problems.
Speaking through a Facebook post uploaded on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Parliament said the committee, chaired by Vice-Chairperson Caleb Amisi, questioned KMTC over a massive pension shortfall, unpaid debts, and weak institutional oversight.
According to the post, the college is facing a Ksh2.125 billion pension deficit, an issue that MPs said shows clear gaps in financial planning and long-term sustainability.
“These issues are routine, and we must conclude them once and for all,” Amisi stated, signalling the lawmakers’ intention to push for a final resolution.
A major part of the discussions centred on conflicts over property and unpaid arrears. The committee highlighted Ksh7.4 million in rent arrears owed by the University of Nairobi for 96 student rooms.
“A major point of contention was Ksh7.4 million in rent arrears owed by the University of Nairobi for 96 rooms occupied by medical students. Despite issuing an eviction notice in July 2018, UoN has neither responded nor vacated the premises. KMTC told the committee that the matter had been escalated to the Attorney-General and the Head of Public Service, with available documents indicating the property legally belongs to the college,” the statement reads.
The lawmakers also questioned the college’s appeal to the National Treasury for guidance on writing off long-overdue debts. KMTC is seeking approval to write off Ksh21.8 million from Kenyatta National Hospital.
“KMTC also sought Treasury guidance on writing off long-outstanding debts, including Ksh21.8 million from Kenyatta National Hospital and Ksh19.8 million from the former Ministry of Medical Services, both recommended for write-off but lacking ministry approval,” the statement reads
The most worrying revelation, however, came from KMTC CEO Kelly Oluoch, who admitted that pension benefits for future retirees are at risk if immediate steps are not taken.
“While pension benefits for current retirees are protected by law, we’ve had to finance remedial measures from student fees,” he stated, warning that this approach could threaten the institution’s liquidity without Treasury support.
On governance, KMTC acknowledged that only a fraction of its many campuses are officially gazetted. The management insisted that learning has not been disrupted but promised to fast-track the process. MPs also raised concerns about staff welfare, noting that many employees now fall below the minimum take-home pay threshold due to statutory deductions such as the Housing Levy, SHIF, and NSSF.
The committee further pointed out that KMTC has not met the required 5 per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities, with only 52 out of 2,131 staff meeting the criteria. Management pledged to work with NG-CDF offices to address this gap.
Despite under-collecting revenue by KSH102 million and underspending nearly Ksh1 billion in the last financial year, KMTC assured MPs that service delivery had not been affected. Amisi emphasised the institution’s importance in Kenya’s health sector and medical tourism ambitions.
“If we improve institutions like this one, they can put us in good standing to become a medical tourist destination,” the statement reads.
The committee vowed to summon additional government bodies to help settle the unresolved issues once and for all, signalling that KMTC’s scrutiny is far from over.
