Students aiming to join the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in 2023 will have to wait longer after the National Assembly nullified the placement process done by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS). 

The parliamentary committee on Health determined that the placement process was conducted illegally and was "marred with illegalities." The Robert Pukose-led committee declared the process null and void.

The over 42,000 students who had applied to KMTC institutions will now have to start the process afresh because of the anomalies. 

“It is obvious that the process is null and void, there is a court order that clearly says placement of students should be done by the KMTC board, by KUCCPS conducting the placement is illegal,” said Pukose. 

The committee also ruled that KUCCPS should transfer a total of Ksh.8.4 million that has been paid by the applicants to KMTC. 

"It should be clear that the student who had paid the application fee should not repay when reapplying, but on how the selection will be done, we will leave it to the board,” Pukose said.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha appeared before the committee to explain the rationale for allowing KUCCPS to do placements despite the law putting the mandate on KMTC board. 

"There is a court stopping any association between KUCCPS and KMTC, are you not aware that you were breaking the law? Did you seek advice from the AG?" posed Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli. 

"KUCCPS is a stranger in this placement, we should throw them out, and allow the board to take over,” he added. 

The CS had defended the decision to allow KUCCPS conduct the placement process, saying she was acting on an executive order.

42,000 students had applied for a chance to join KMTC colleges, although KUCCPS had only placed 11,975 (28%) of the applicants, with over 30,000 missing out.