By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 13 December 2025 - Private health training institutions in Kenya have renewed calls for reforms in the student placement and financing framework, warning that current policies are undermining the country’s efforts to build a strong and inclusive health workforce.
At the centre of the debate is the secondary school student clustering system, which stakeholders argue continues to shut out qualified learners from medical and health-related courses, particularly in private institutions.
The clustering system, which groups students based on performance in specific subject combinations, is intended to guide placement into university and college programmes.
However, leaders of private medical colleges say the model is too rigid and fails to reflect the varied academic and professional pathways that health training requires.
As a result, many students who demonstrate aptitude and commitment to healthcare careers are denied entry, despite meeting other institutional and regulatory requirements.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Medical Colleges in Kenya, president Denis Oketch said the current framework does not align with the realities of health education, where competency-based training, practical skills and continuous assessment are increasingly important.
He argued that an overreliance on clustering risks excluding students who could otherwise contribute meaningfully to addressing Kenya’s persistent health worker shortages.
The concerns were raised during a graduation ceremony at JFC Munene College of Health Sciences, a forum that doubled as a platform for broader policy advocacy.
Sector leaders used the event to call for legal and regulatory reforms that would ensure fairness in access to training and funding, regardless of whether students are enrolled in public or private institutions.
Another major issue highlighted was the lack of access to Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding for students in private medical colleges.
According to stakeholders, this financing gap has created a two-tier system that favours public institutions while disadvantaging thousands of learners in accredited private colleges.
Ndei Ndirangu, a member of the association, noted that the clustering criteria, combined with limited financial support, has become a significant barrier for students seeking careers in the health sector.
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The financial strain on students has broader implications for the health system. Training in medical and health-related fields is often costly, involving specialised equipment, clinical placements and regulatory compliance.
Without government-backed loans, many students are forced to defer, drop out or abandon their studies altogether.
This not only affects individual career prospects but also limits the pipeline of trained health professionals at a time when Kenya continues to grapple with staff shortages, especially in underserved areas.
Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, who attended the graduation ceremony as chief guest, echoed these concerns and backed the call to extend HELB funding to students in accredited private medical colleges.
He warned that excluding private institutions from government financing support deepens inequality and undermines national health goals.
According to the legislator, access to funding should be tied to accreditation and quality assurance rather than ownership status.
From a policy perspective, the debate highlights a growing tension between regulation, equity and workforce planning in Kenya’s health sector.
While clustering and selective funding are designed to manage resources and maintain standards, critics argue that they have not kept pace with changes in education models and labour market needs.
Private health colleges, which train a significant share of mid-level and frontline health workers, say they are being overlooked in national planning despite their contribution.
As Kenya pushes towards universal health coverage, stakeholders warn that excluding qualified students and underfunding training institutions could slow progress. A review of the clustering system, alongside reforms to student financing, may therefore be critical not only for educational equity but also for strengthening the country’s long-term health outcomes.
