Wote, Makueni County — The National Land Commission (NLC) has allocated nearly 6 hectares of land — approximately 14 acres — for the expansion of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Wote Campus. The parcel, listed under Land Reference No. 33890, was gazetted on August 22 and will now be reserved exclusively for KMTC’s use in expanding medical training facilities in the region.

Terms of the Allocation

According to the Gazette notice, KMTC will take over management of the land under strict conditions:

• The property can only be used for medical training and related education.

• KMTC is barred from selling or transferring the land without NLC approval.

• A development plan for the site must be submitted to the NLC within 180 days for approval. Failure to do so could result in revocation of the reservation order.

Boosting Medical Training Capacity

The expansion is expected to significantly strengthen healthcare training in Makueni. Opened in 2014, the Wote Campus currently accommodates only a few hundred students. With the new land, KMTC can construct additional classrooms, laboratories, and hostels, enabling it to:

• Increase student enrollment.

• Introduce new medical courses.

• Enhance research and training capacity.

Nationally, KMTC operates 71 campuses and remains the country’s largest producer of frontline health workers, including nurses, clinical officers, and other medical practitioners.

Local and National Impact

Makueni leaders have welcomed the move, citing increased opportunities for local youth to pursue healthcare careers. They emphasized that expanding the Wote campus will not only create pathways for professional training but also translate into improved healthcare delivery within the county and beyond.

At the policy level, the decision aligns with government efforts to scale up medical education and infrastructure, amid a persistent shortage of health professionals nationwide. The Ministry of Health estimates that Kenya still faces gaps in meeting the World Health Organization’s recommended doctor-to-patient and nurse-to-patient ratios, underscoring the importance of KMTC’s expansion drive.

Looking Ahead

The next 180 days will be crucial for KMTC to develop and present its plan for the Wote site. Once approved, construction could position the campus as a regional hub for health training, boosting Kenya’s capacity to respond to rising healthcare demands.