The National Land Commission (NLC) has set aside about 47 acres of land in Mandera County for the expansion of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), paving the way for growth of medical training facilities in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions.
In a gazette notice dated January 23, NLC chairperson Gershom Otachi said the land, identified as Mandera Municipality Block 9/191, has been officially reserved for KMTC and placed under the control of the college’s management.
According to the notice, KMTC will be allowed to use the land strictly for the expansion of the institution and related support services.
Conditions Attached to KMTC Mandera Expansion Allocation
While granting KMTC control of the land, the commission attached clear conditions that the college must meet.
Otachi said the KMTC management will be required, within 180 days, to prepare and submit a detailed development management plan to the commission. Failure to do so, the notice warned, could lead to the reservation being revoked.
The plan is expected to comply with existing physical planning regulations and take into account constitutional requirements, including environmental conservation, heritage considerations and sustainable land use.
“The management body shall not part with possession of the reserved land parcels or any part thereof without the written consent of the National Land Commission,” the notice stated.
Focus on Environment and Sustainability
The commission also directed KMTC to ensure that at least 10 per cent of the land is covered with trees and vegetation, in line with constitutional environmental standards.
In addition, the college must adhere to proper waste management practices and uphold Global Industry Practices (GIPs) that promote public health and environmental protection.
Otachi said the institution will be expected to adopt climate-smart technologies that reduce carbon emissions and minimise its environmental footprint as development begins.
“The management body shall adopt climate-smart technologies for operations and processes that reduce carbon footprints and emissions,” the notice read.
Safeguards and Coordination
KMTC will also be responsible for securing the land and maintaining clear boundaries to prevent encroachment. The commission further noted that the college must meet any assessment or levies payable to the Mandera County government as required by law.
Beyond construction, KMTC has been directed to coordinate closely with other public agencies operating on the land to ensure services are delivered efficiently and the space is fully utilised.
The land reservation is expected to strengthen KMTC’s presence in northern Kenya and improve access to medical training in Mandera County, a move likely to boost local healthcare capacity in the long term.
