Thika Medical School eyes Nairobi, regional and global expansion

The Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences is setting its sights on expanding its physical footprint through new regional and international campuses.

Founded 16 years ago, the school says its total enrolment has grown to between 6,000 and 7,000 students, prompting the need to expand into remote areas and overseas.

The institution, which was Kenya’s first privately owned medical school, is accredited by several regulatory bodies, primarily the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), to ensure high educational standards and compliance.

Driven by growing student numbers, the institution aims to increase its overall student population to between 15,000 and 20,000 within the next five years.

To accommodate this growth, administrators are finalising plans to establish new campuses in Nairobi and remote regions of Kenya, while also eyeing opportunities across the wider East African region and neighbouring countries.

Group Financial Controller Ranjeet Gupta outlined the school’s ambitious expansion roadmap, emphasising a strategic push to take healthcare training to underserved areas.

“We are looking into opening new campuses, one in Nairobi, and two in a remote area. Today I had a meeting with someone who suggested opening a campus in Turkana, which borders Ethiopia and South Sudan,” Gupta said.

Addressing regional unemployment challenges, Gupta added that the institution plans to establish centres in Kampala, Uganda, and Seychelles to widen career opportunities for Kenyan healthcare graduates.

“This is because after getting the certificates and diploma, the students can create employment or open their own consultancy. Our goal is that about 1,500 students who pass can go to overseas placement at no extra cost, and we are in discussion with Canada, USA and Germany,” Gupta added.

“At Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences, we do not want to produce job seekers. We want to create healthcare professionals who are sought after. Our classrooms may be in Kenya, but our vision is global,” he noted.

To prepare students for an immediate transition into the workforce, the school works closely with industry partners across the healthcare and research sectors.

Kevin Muigai, an officer in the institution's Quality Assurance and Academics department, highlighted the importance of internal regulation and clinical exposure in driving student success.

“We get along with many partners; most of them are hospitals, industries and we also have research institutes. The partners help us place students during the clinical rotations and attachments, which are either for 3 months or periodically,” Muigai said.

He explained that maintaining educational standards is a daily mandate.

“Through the office of quality assurance, we make sure our courses are accredited by the relevant bodies, and we also do our internal audits just to check on compliance, and we get partnerships to help our students get placements. We also check with trainers to ensure the curriculum aligns with the regulations of the relevant bodies.”

In addition to traditional clinical disciplines, the school is expanding specialised technical programmes, including mortuary science.

Teacher Catherine Njenga noted a surge in interest in the field, which she attributed to high market demand and specialised training that goes beyond standard expectations.

“More students are taking mortuary science because it's marketable, and many people fear working with the dead. We encourage more young people to take the course because there is a gap that needs to be filled,” Njenga said.

The specialised course incorporates comprehensive facilities, including anatomy laboratories, forensic science units and funeral service management, preparing trainees for multifaceted roles in the sector.

To support its expanding student population, the institution also maintains full boarding facilities, providing hostel accommodation and meals for both male and female students on campus.