The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) has announced the opening of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) application portal, following the National Treasury’s release of Ksh 500 million aimed at assisting financially needy students.
In a statement issued on June 18, 2025, KMTC Chief Executive Officer Kelly Oluoch confirmed that the funds are now available for disbursement through HELB. “The HELB portal is now open, and students interested in applying for the financial support can do so starting today. The application window will remain open until June 24, 2025,” he stated.
This financial allocation, part of the April 2025 Supplementary Budget, is intended to alleviate the financial challenges many students face and ensure their medical education continues uninterrupted.
Oluoch further revealed that the college engaged several key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Parliamentary Committee on Health, to advocate for the restoration of funding. “The absence of this crucial support placed a significant strain on our students, threatening their ability to continue with training,” Oluoch remarked.
In recent months, KMTC has intensified its efforts to secure funding for students in need, which included establishing a dedicated student funding kitty and encouraging alumni to contribute towards supporting future healthcare professionals.
Previously, KMTC students benefitted from HELB funding until the end of the 2023/2024 financial year. However, due to government austerity measures aimed at reducing public expenditure, this funding stream was cut, leaving many students without essential financial support.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unlocking funds for students facing financial difficulties. He noted that the college, alongside the Ministry of Health, has actively lobbied various arms of the National Assembly for the reinstatement of the HELB program. Since its inception in the 2022/2023 Financial Year, over 22,000 KMTC students have benefitted from this initiative.
During the official opening of the 8th Biennial KMTC Scientific Conference on June 6, 2025, Duale also announced the abolition of attachment fees for students in public hospitals. He emphasized that public facilities should not charge students as they are there to support their training.
The Ministry of Health continues to express its full support for KMTC students, ensuring that their educational needs are addressed as they train to become the next generation of healthcare professionals.
