About TKHMTC

HISTORY OF THE KAREN HOSPITAL MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE (TKHMTC)

The Karen Hospital Medical Training College (TKHMTC) was established on 2nd September 2013, admitting its first cohort of nine (9) students. The College was envisioned, proposed, and facilitated by the Karen Hospital Limited Board of Directors under the leadership of Dr. Dan Gikonyo and Dr. Betty Gikonyo, the Chairperson of The Karen Hospital and Founder of TKHMTC. This initiative was driven by Dr. Betty Gikonyo’s vision to train and develop competent healthcare professionals capable of serving not only the local market but also the regional and international healthcare workforce.

The Founder’s vision came to fruition on 17th March 2016, when the College held its 1st Graduation Ceremony, hosted by the Late Prof. George Magoha, then Chairman of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and later Cabinet Secretary for Education.

Prior to its establishment, on 19th June 2013, the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) officially authorized TKHMTC to operate as a training institution (REF: NCK/ST/2013), leading to the implementation of the Kenya Registered Nursing (KRN) programme. In June 2017, the College was approved by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) to offer diploma and technical programmes. In the same year, NCK accredited TKHMTC as a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Centre, enabling the College to offer short courses such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS), and Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO).

The institution was officially launched on 8th November 2013 by the then Kajiado County Governor, Hon. David Nkendianye, and the College building was consecrated by Rev. Paul Wanjau of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. TKHMTC stands as an innovative medical training institution committed to academic excellence, leadership in healthcare education, research, and service to society.

Growth and Infrastructure

Initially located at Anselim Building in Ngong Town, the College relocated its classrooms to The Karen Hospital grounds along Lang’ata–Karen Road in November 2015 due to rapid growth in student enrolment. In July 2017, student accommodation facilities were also relocated to the hospital grounds, offering capacity for up to over 250 students.

Mission, Vision, and Core Pillars

Mission:
To train and develop nationally and internationally competent healthcare professionals ready to deliver quality healthcare services.

Vision:
To be a model institution of excellence in the training and development of competent healthcare professionals within Kenya and beyond.

Core Pillars:

• Academic Excellence

• Discipline

• Professionalism

Academic Excellence and Clinical Training

TKHMTC offers competency-based, student-centered training, producing well-rounded healthcare professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and professional attitude required to address modern healthcare challenges. The College boasts a state-of-the-art Skills Laboratory, fitted with advanced models and simulators that integrate cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.

Students undergo Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) prior to clinical placement, ensuring readiness for hands-on patient care. Clinical attachments are conducted in approved healthcare facilities under established Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). The College further supports learning through a well-equipped library, computer lab, and e-library with access to over 10,000 digital and physical resources, including Clinical Key, Nursing Consult, UpToDate, and Z-Library.

Being situated within The Karen Hospital, a highly specialized Level 6B healthcare facility, provides students with a serene learning environment and exposure to advanced clinical practice. The Hospital is also a certified training center for COSESCA (College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa).

Accreditation, Partnerships, and Programme Expansion

In 2019, TKHMTC was accredited by the Clinical Officers Council of Kenya (COC) to offer Higher Diploma programmes, and The Karen Hospital was approved as an internship center for Clinical Officers. This led to the launch of the Higher Diploma in Clinical Cardiology and Cardiopulmonary Perfusion, the first of its kind in East and Central Africa.

In November 2020, the College received approval from TVET-CDACC to offer Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) programmes, resulting in the introduction of the Diploma in Perioperative Theatre Technology (Level 6) in June 2021.

TKHMTC has also attracted international collaboration and investment interest from institutions such as Anglia Ruskin University (UK), Quality Dialysis (USA), Goodwill Investments (Netherlands), Madras Mission University Hospital (India), and Johns Hopkins University.

Graduation Milestones

TKHMTC has consistently produced highly competent graduates serving in private, faith-based, and public healthcare institutions.

• The 1st Graduation Ceremony was held in March 2016, graced by the Late Prof. George Magoha.

• The 2nd Graduation Ceremony took place on 7th December 2017, hosted by Prof. Simon Gicharu, Founder of Mount Kenya University, during which twenty-five (25) nurses graduated.

• The 3rd Graduation Ceremony was held in November 2019, producing forty (40) nursing graduates.

• The 4th Graduation Ceremony followed, graduating forty-six (46) graduands, comprising thirty-six (36) Kenya Registered Nurses and ten (10) Higher Diploma Cardiology graduates.

• The 5th Graduation Ceremony, held in November 2023, saw fifty-five (55) graduands successfully complete their programmes.

• The most recent graduation ceremony in 2025 marked a historic milestone, with one hundred and thirty-six (136) graduands, reflecting the College’s rapid growth, expanding academic portfolio, and commitment to excellence.

Student Population and Impact

The College is currently on its 20th intake for Kenya Registered Nursing, 6th intake for Cardiology, and 4th intake for Theatre Technology and Cardiopulmonary Perfusion, with a total student population of over 250 learners. TKHMTC maintains a 100% pass rate in the NCK Licensure Examinations since inception, underscoring its academic rigor and quality assurance standards.

Community Engagement and Milestones

TKHMTC collaborates closely with The Karen Hospital in community outreach initiatives, medical camps, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, ensuring holistic student development beyond the classroom.

Key Milestones Include:

1. Accreditation by NCK, COC, and TVETA

2. 100% NCK Licensure Examination Pass Rate since inception

3. Hosting of Annual Cardiac Symposia (2024 & 2025)

4. TVETA and TVET-CDACC Accreditation for Community Health Training (2025)