Zetech University has received official accreditation from the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and the Commission for University Education (CUE) to launch a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program. The announcement, made on Monday, 3 November 2025, positions the private university as a new contributor to Kenya's pool of healthcare professionals. The four-year degree program will be offered at the university's Technology Park Mang'u Campus.

The Vice-Chancellor of Zetech University, Prof. Njenga Munene, described the accreditation as a significant milestone. “The approval of this four-year programme is a vote of confidence in our academic excellence and our mission to contribute meaningfully to Kenya's healthcare system,” he stated during the launch event at the main campus in Ruiru. He emphasized the university's commitment to producing graduates who are not only clinically proficient but also ethically grounded to meet the nation's health goals.

Addressing a Complex Healthcare Landscape

The introduction of Zetech's nursing program comes at a critical time for Kenya's health sector. The country faces a persistent shortage and maldistribution of nurses and midwives, a situation exacerbated by underinvestment and the migration of qualified professionals. According to a May 2025 report, Kenya has approximately 40.2 nurses per 10,000 population, a figure significantly below the World Health Organization's recommended threshold, which threatens the nation's ability to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Projections from early 2025 indicated a needs-based shortage of nearly 60,000 health professionals in 2021, a gap expected to widen.

However, the landscape is also marked by a paradox of unemployment. A June 2025 report from the Kenya Health Workforce highlighted that over 42,000 trained nurses are currently seeking employment. While urban centers are oversaturated, rural and underserved areas continue to experience severe staffing shortages. Private institutions like Zetech are increasingly seen as vital in boosting the overall number of nursing graduates. Data indicates that private training institutions contribute to 30% of nursing course admissions in Kenya and often have higher graduation rates compared to the public sector.

Curriculum and Facilities

Zetech University's program is designed to be competency-based, blending theoretical instruction with extensive practical experience. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Alice Njuguna, confirmed that the curriculum includes classroom learning, advanced skills training in laboratories, and clinical placements at leading health institutions. To support this, the university has established a modern Nursing Skills Laboratory equipped with simulation mannequins, hospital beds, and other vital medical tools to provide students with a simulated clinical environment.

The Dean of the School of Nursing, Dr. Mercy Achieng, noted that the curriculum would also focus on mental health, community health, and digital healthcare innovations to produce well-rounded professionals capable of addressing contemporary health challenges.

Admission and Regulatory Standards

The minimum entry requirement for the program is a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C+ or its equivalent. Applicants must also have at least a C+ in English or Kiswahili, Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This aligns with the standards set by the Nursing Council of Kenya, the statutory body responsible for ensuring high standards of nursing and midwifery education and practice in the country. The NCK is responsible for approving all nursing and midwifery training programs, conducting institutional visits to ascertain readiness, and renewing approvals every five years to ensure standards are maintained. Upon graduation and passing the national licensure examination, Zetech's nursing students will be eligible for registration and licensing to practice in Kenya.

The entry of Zetech University into nursing education reflects a broader trend of private sector involvement in addressing Kenya's health workforce needs. As the country continues on its path toward UHC, the role of such institutions in training, and ultimately, the strategic deployment of healthcare workers will remain a subject of critical national importance.