Colleges Approved to Offer Diploma in Nursing in Kenya and Average Fees Charged [LIST]

Nursing continues to rank among the most popular courses in Kenya, attracting thousands of students every year. According to the latest Economic Survey, the number of Nursing graduates nearly doubled, rising from just under 5,000 in 2020 to almost 10,000 by 2024.

At the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), the country’s largest and most popular medical training institution, Nursing-related programmes remain among the top choices for students. In 2024, KMTC enrolled 29,326 middle-level medical trainees, with a significant share selecting Nursing and related courses. A total of 4,825 students enrolled in Diploma in Community Health Nursing, 2,567 chose Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 2,016 pursued Health Records and Information Technology, while 1,832 opted for Community Health.

The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), which is responsible for accrediting institutions that offer Nursing programmes, reports that it has approved 145 training institutions across the country. The majority of these institutions are accredited to offer Diploma-level Nursing programmes. Below is a list of approved colleges offering Diploma in Nursing, together with the estimated fees charged.

Key Diploma Programme Codes in Nursing and Midwifery

• KRCHN — Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse (most common diploma)
• KRN — Kenya Registered Nurse
• KRN/M — Kenya Registered Nurse and Midwife
• KRNN — Kenya Registered Neonatal Nurse
• KRCCN — Kenya Registered Critical Care Nurse (post-basic)

Here are colleges approved to offer diploma in nursing by NCK

Public / University-Affiliated

• Kenyatta National Hospital School of Nursing — Nairobi
• Pumwani Maternity College of Nursing & Midwifery — Nairobi
• Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital School of Nursing — Kisumu
• Chuka KMTC — Tharaka Nithi
• Outspan Medical Training College — Nyeri

Faith-Based / Mission Nursing Schools

• AIC Kapsowar School of Nursing — Elgeyo Marakwet
• AIC Kijabe College of Health Sciences — Kiambu
• AIC Litein School of Nursing — Kericho
• Consolata Wamba School of Nursing — Samburu
• PCEA Kikuyu Hospital School of Nursing — Kiambu
• PCEA Tumutumu Hospital Training College — Nyeri
• St. Francis School of Nursing — Nairobi
• St. Clare’s Kaplong School of Nursing — Bomet
• St. Camillus Tabaka School of Nursing — Kisii
• Tenwek Hospital College of Health Sciences — Bomet
• Sister Leonella Consolata Medical College — Nyeri

Private Nursing & Medical Colleges

• Catherine McAuley Nursing School — Nairobi
• Cecily McDonell College (Nairobi Hospital) — Nairobi
• Karen Hospital Medical Training College — Nairobi
• Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health — Nairobi
• Fortis Medical Training College — Nairobi
• Imperial College of Medical & Health Sciences — Kiambu
• John Charles Medical Training College — Nairobi
• Goshen Medical College — Kiambu
• RAM Training College — Kisii
• Pretata Institute of Professional Studies — Thika
• North Coast Medical Training College — Kilifi

Regional / County Nursing Schools

• Nyahururu Medical Training College — Laikipia
• Nyanchwa Adventist School of Health Sciences — Kisii
• Ortum Mission School of Nursing — West Pokot
• Our Lady of Lourdes Mutomo Hospital — Kitui
• Our Lady of Lourdes Mwea School of Nursing — Kirinyaga
• Nzoia College of Nursing — Trans Nzoia
• Fidenza School of Nursing — Embu
• Edinburg College — Murang’a
• Equip Africa College — Trans Nzoia
• Jordan Hospital Medical College — Kitui
• St. Joseph’s Medical Training College Nyabondo — Kisumu
• St. Luke’s North Kinangop School of Nursing — Nyandarua

Average Fee Charged for Diploma in Nursing Course

According to KMTC, an average nursing course runs for three years with the first year valued at Ksh82,000, while the second and third years have an average of Ksh78,000 fee each for local students.

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For foreign students at the same institution, the cost rise to an average of Ksh250,000 per year before accommodation and other additional charges.

At the Nairobi Women's Hospital College, a Diploma in Nursing averages Ksh47,000 basic fee per semester of 9 sessions.