Hundreds of students who enrolled at Medprime Training College are now facing a harsh reality after discovering that the certificates they worked for years to earn are not recognised by key regulatory bodies in Kenya, throwing their careers and livelihoods into uncertainty.
The scandal has left graduates stranded, unemployed, and angry, with many saying they were misled into believing the institution was fully accredited to offer professional training in health and technical fields.
Students who completed courses at Medprime say they only learned the truth after attempting to register with professional bodies or apply for jobs, only to be told their certificates were invalid.
By then, it was too late.
Promises That Did Not Match Reality
Former students say Medprime marketed itself as a legitimate training institution, promising nationally recognised qualifications and smooth entry into the job market.
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Students paid full tuition
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Attended classes for months or years
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Sat exams
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Graduated believing they were qualified
Some even took loans. Others relied on family savings.
None were told their certificates would later be rejected.
Many graduates say they were shocked to learn that the institution lacked proper accreditation from relevant regulators to offer some of the courses it advertised.
Dreams Shattered After Graduation
For many, the discovery came at the worst possible moment.
Graduates describe being turned away by employers and professional bodies, informed that their certificates could not be accepted because the institution was not authorised to train them.
“I wasted years of my life,” one graduate said.
“I studied, paid fees, and graduated only to be told my papers mean nothing.”
Some students say they have been unable to register with professional bodies, effectively locking them out of their chosen careers.
Others say employers dismissed them outright after verifying their certificates.
Questions Over Regulation and Oversight
The unfolding scandal has raised serious questions about how Medprime Training College was allowed to operate while offering courses that were allegedly not approved.
Students are now demanding answers from regulators, asking:
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Who approved the institution to admit students
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Which courses were authorised
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Why enforcement came after students had already graduated
Critics argue that weak oversight has allowed private colleges to exploit desperate job seekers by offering training programs that lead nowhere.
Students Demand Accountability and Refunds
Anger among affected students continues to grow.
Graduates are now calling for:
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Full refunds of tuition fees
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Clear guidance on whether they must retrain
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Action against those responsible for misleading them
Some students say they were assured verbally that accreditation issues would be resolved, only for months to pass with no clarity.
Others claim the institution continued admitting new students even as questions about recognition surfaced.
A Wider Crisis in Private Training Colleges
The Medprime saga highlights a deeper problem in Kenya’s private training sector.
Many young people are drawn to colleges offering short courses and quick certification, believing education is their pathway out of unemployment.
But without strict enforcement, students are left vulnerable to institutions that operate in legal grey areas.
Education experts warn that unless regulators tighten controls, more students will fall into the same trap.
Silence From the Institution
At the time of publication, Medprime Training College had not issued a clear public explanation addressing the concerns raised by students or outlining how affected graduates would be assisted.
Students say attempts to seek clarity from administrators have yielded little information, deepening frustration and suspicion.
Lives Put on Hold
For the affected graduates, the impact is personal and devastating.
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Careers are stalled
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Money is lost
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Time cannot be recovered
Some now face the painful decision of whether to start over at accredited institutions or abandon their chosen fields entirely.
“This was supposed to change my life,” one graduate said.
“Instead, it destroyed my plans.”
Calls for Immediate Intervention
Students are now urging the government and education regulators to intervene urgently to:
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Investigate how the institution operated
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Protect current and future students
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Enforce accountability
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Prevent similar cases across the country
They warn that unless decisive action is taken, the scandal will repeat itself elsewhere.
A Warning to Prospective Students
The Medprime case stands as a cautionary tale for anyone seeking professional training.
Students are being urged to verify accreditation directly with regulators before enrolling, no matter how convincing the marketing appears.
For many Medprime graduates, that advice comes too late.
Their certificates are unrecognised.
Their futures are uncertain.
And the system that was meant to protect them failed.
