The government announced today that the demand for mortuary science courses among Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students was on the rise.
During the stakeholders forum, KMTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kelly Oluoch revealed that the demand for the program had grown exponentially since its introduction in 2023.
“When the course was launched in March 2023, few could have predicted its sudden rise to become one of the most sought-after programmes by students,” he said.
KMTC received 250 applications this year against its capacity of 50 slots, depicting a rapid growth in the demand for the now-lucrative course.
“We have since expanded to accommodate more students, and today, the number of applicants runs into hundreds,” Kelly Oluoch stated.
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Despite the growing number of students seeking to pursue the course, the programme is regulated to ensure a capped intake to maintain high training standards.
While assuring stakeholders of KMTC’s commitment to upholding quality education, Oluoch noted that most applicants for the mortuary courses were either sponsored by health facilities or private institutions.
The KMTC boss further disclosed that individuals seeking to venture into the mortuary business found the programme highly beneficial compared to other related courses.
“These are organizations already offering mortuary services and looking to strengthen their technical capacity. Additionally, individuals seeking to venture into the mortuary business find our program highly beneficial,” he said.
Traditionally, mortuary attendants in Kenya were trained informally, often learning on the job in private funeral parlours. However, a 2018–2021 study by senior lecturers at the University of Nairobi (UoN) and pathologists from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) highlighted significant gaps in the training and practice of morticians.
Mortician training programme equips students with the skills and mindset to handle human bodies with care, respect, and professionalism.
The programme, which started at the Nairobi Campus, has since expanded to other campuses across the country with plans to roll out in four more in the coming years.
By Joseph Mambili
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