•He started his career as pharmacist in charge at Marsabit District Hospital before his employment at the college.
•The announcement came during a three-day academic council meeting which kicked off on Wednesday at the college headquarters in Nairobi.
The Kenya Medical Training College board has finally confirmed Dr Kelly Oluoch as the chief executive officer.
Dr Oluoch was initially appointed in acting CEO on December 24, 2020, after the board sacked Prof Michael Kiptoo.
However, Prof Kiptoo challenged his dismissal in court and was reinstated in April last year.
His contract with the college ended in December after which Oluoch was again appointed in acting capacity.
KMTC chairperson Zachary Muburi-Muita yesterday said Oluoch was selected from a field of more than 66 candidates.
Oluoch previously served as the deputy director of finance, planning and administration; pPrincipal Lake Victoria and Kisumu campuses.
He started his career as pharmacist in charge at Marsabit District Hospital before his employment at the college.
“I know I have a huge task ahead of me. I look forward to working collaboratively with the board, management, staff and students to create an enabling environment that supports teaching and learning," Oluoch said.
He holds a doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi.
He also has a Master of Science in Biotechnology, Innovation and Regulatory Pharmacy from Purdue University.
Others include a diploma in Industrial Pharmacy and Drug Discovery from Purdue (USA) and Howard University (USA), and postgraduate diploma in Medical Education and a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy from Dr MGR Medical University.
Muita challenged the new CEO to transform the college.
“The first and main task ahead of you is on promoting teaching and learning. I urge all of us to rethink managing student and staff ratios,” he said.
Board director Jennifer Kibagendi noted that the board has delivered on a big task of recruiting a CEO for the college.
“We have given you the best candidate and I urge you to support him,” she said.
The former CEO Prof Kiptoo was dismissed in December 2020 after assisting EACC in their investigations against two members of the board over impropriety.
He went to the labour court, which in April last year ordered the college to immediately reinstate him.
Labour and Employment judge Mathews Nduma had directed that Kiptoo should return to work and enjoy all his initial benefits including full salary.
The judge termed Kiptoo’s termination unfair and unconstitutional, saying it breached the CEO’s rights to be heard by an independent tribunal.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)