Private Nursing Colleges Approved in Kenya (Apart from KMTC)

Kenya’s healthcare sector continues to expand, increasing demand for qualified nurses and health professionals. While many students apply to the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), there are numerous approved private nursing colleges across the country offering accredited nursing and health sciences programs.

Below is a structured Course Hub Kenya–style blog article covering these institutions.

Overview

Private nursing colleges in Kenya complement public institutions by:

• Increasing training capacity

• Providing faith-based and mission-driven education options

• Offering diverse diploma and certificate programs

• Supporting regional access to healthcare training

All nursing training institutions must be regulated by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) to operate legally and present candidates for licensure exams.

Private Nursing Colleges by Region

1. Nairobi County

Nairobi hosts the largest concentration of private nursing institutions due to its referral hospitals and advanced healthcare infrastructure.

Institutions include:

• Catherine McAuley Nursing School

• Cecily McDonnell College of Health Sciences (Nairobi Hospital)

• Fortis Medical Training College

• Gertrude's Institute of Child Health and Research

• John Charles Medical Training College

• Karen Hospital Medical Training College

• Kenyatta National Hospital School of Nursing

• M.P Shah College of Health Sciences

• Nairobi West Hospital College of Health Sciences

• National Defence University – Kenya Defence College of Health Sciences

• Our Lady of the Assumption Medical Training College

• Pumwani Maternity College of Nursing and Midwifery

• St. Francis School of Nursing

• The Nairobi Women’s Hospital College

2. Kiambu County

Kiambu County is a major hub for mission and faith-based health institutions.

Institutions include:

• AIC Kijabe College of Health Sciences

• Goshen Medical College

• Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences

• Kijabe Medical School

• Nazareth Medical College

• PCEA Kikuyu Hospital School of Nursing

• Pretata Institute of Professional Studies (Thika)

• Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences

3. Rift Valley Region

Institutions include:

• AIC Kapsowar School of Nursing (Elgeyo Marakwet)

• St. Clares Kaplong School of Nursing (Bomet)

• Tenwek Hospital College of Health Sciences (Bomet)

• Lake Lorenzo Medical Training College (Nakuru)

• Nakuru College of Health Sciences and Management

• PCEA Nakuru West School of Nursing

• Ortum Mission School of Nursing (West Pokot)

4. Western and Nyanza Region

Institutions include:

• Joan School of Nursing (Kisumu)

• Maseno School of Nursing (Kisumu)

• St. Catherine School of Nursing (Kisumu)

• St. Joseph’s Medical Training College – Nyabondo

• Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (Kisumu)

• Nyanchwa Adventist School of Health Sciences (Kisii)

• St. Camillus Tabaka School of Nursing (Kisii)

• Nzoia College of Nursing (Trans Nzoia)

• Equip Africa College of Medical and Health Sciences (Trans Nzoia)

5. Eastern and Coastal Region

Institutions include:

• Fidenza School of Nursing – Kyeni (Embu)

• Lukenya Training Institute (Machakos)

• Our Lady of Lordes Mutomo Hospital (Kitui)

• Our Lady of Lordes Mwea School of Nursing (Kirinyaga)

• St. Theresa Kiirua College (Meru)

• Pwani University (Kilifi)

• NEP College of Health Sciences (Garissa)

• NEP Mewa College of Professional Studies (Mombasa)

• Nuria College (Wajir)

Common Nursing Courses Offered

Most approved private nursing colleges offer:

• Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing (KRCHN)

• Diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing (KRN)

• Diploma in Kenya Registered Midwifery (KRM)

• Perioperative Theatre Nursing

• Higher Diploma Specializations

• Certificate programs in health-related fields

Admission requirements typically include:

• Minimum KCSE mean grade C plain

• C in Biology or Biological Sciences

• C in English or Kiswahili

• C in Mathematics or Physics

• C in Chemistry

(Note: Requirements may vary slightly by institution and program.)

How to Verify Approval Status

Before applying, students should:

1. Confirm the institution appears on the official list published by the Nursing Council of Kenya.

2. Verify that the college is approved for the specific intake year.

3. Confirm clinical training partnerships.

4. Request the latest NCK accreditation documentation.

Failure to verify approval may result in inability to sit for licensure exams.

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing a College

• Accreditation and regulatory compliance

• Clinical exposure and affiliated hospitals

• Tuition and additional fees

• Boarding and accommodation availability

• NCLEX preparation support (for international career plans)

• Historical NCK examination performance