Govt Explains Why Students Are Applying for Mortuary Courses in Their Numbers

The government on Tuesday announced that the demand for mortuary science courses was on the rise among the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students.

Addressing stakeholders at a public forum, KMTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kelly Oluoch disclosed 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 the sudden rise of the course to become one of the most sought-after programs by students.

According to Oluoch, this year, KMTC received 250 applications 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.

Despite the growing number of students seeking to pursue the course, the program 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 program 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 program equips students with the skills and mindset to handle human bodies with care, respect, and professionalism. 

The program, 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.