The Nairobi Hospital’s Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences celebrated a historic milestone as it held its 31st Graduation Ceremony, conferring diplomas and certificates to 140 newly trained nurses and healthcare assistants. The colourful ceremony not only underscored the College’s enduring commitment to excellence in healthcare education but also reaffirmed its rising influence in shaping the future of Kenya’s healthcare workforce at a time when the sector is experiencing rapid transformation and heightened demand for skilled professionals.
Held at The Nairobi Hospital grounds, the event brought together graduates, families, faculty, industry partners and health leaders from across Kenya and beyond. It was presided over by Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Health and Professional Standards, and attended by senior representatives from the Kenya Hospital Association Board, global training partners, regulators, alumni, and other distinguished guests. Their presence underscored the College’s growing stature as one of the region’s most trusted and forward-thinking centres for nursing and allied health training.
This year’s graduating cohort included 89 Registered Nurses (Diploma), 32 Higher Diploma Nurses specialising in Trauma & Emergency, Critical Care, Perioperative, and Oncology Nursing, and 19 Health Care Assistants, who represent the very first class under the newly accredited program. The inclusion of Health Care Assistants reflects the College’s strategic adaptation to the evolving healthcare landscape, where multi-tiered clinical support has become essential to strengthening service delivery in hospitals and community settings.
A Legacy of Excellence Rooted in Service
Speaking at the ceremony, Principal Dr. Margaret Sirima paid tribute to the College’s long-standing heritage and reaffirmed its central role in equipping Kenya’s healthcare system with competent, compassionate professionals.
“Today’s graduation ceremony gives me great joy and pride because we are officially commissioning 140 future professionals who will be at the frontlines in the fight against diseases and advancing universal healthcare goals across the world. Our objective is to ensure every graduand is equipped with critical knowledge to tackle modern health challenges and meaningfully contribute to sustainable health outcomes regardless of where they work across the world,” said Dr. Sirima. “Our College continues to draw inspiration from the remarkable legacy of Sister Cicely McDonell, whose life of service and compassion set the foundation we stand on today.”
Her sentiments echoed the Cicely McDonnell College’s rich legacy of over 70 years, during which it has consistently produced some of the most sought-after healthcare professionals in Kenya, Africa and the global diaspora. The remarkable 98.5% pass rate in this year’s professional licensing examinations is further testament to the College’s commitment to academic rigor, clinical excellence and professional readiness.
Dr. Sirima also took time to acknowledge the Cicely McDonnel College’s critical training partners, including The Nairobi Hospital Nursing Services, the Nursing Council of Kenya, Kenyatta National Hospital, Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Mathari Hospital, Nairobi City County Clinics, Daystar University, Health Logic, and IntraHealth. These partnerships offer students expansive clinical exposure across different specialties, ensuring they graduate with both depth and breadth of experience.
Aligning Training With Kenya’s Evolving Healthcare Needs
As Kenya implements major reforms in its health sector, including the rollout of the Social Health Authority, expansion of primary healthcare networks, increased digitization, and new standards for emergency response, the demand for highly trained nurses and clinical support professionals has risen sharply. Institutions like Cicely McDonell College are becoming increasingly central in bridging the human-resource gap that continues to challenge service delivery in public and private hospitals.
The Nairobi Hospital’s CEO Felix Osano, speaking during the ceremony, underlined this point while reaffirming the institution’s commitment to nurturing world-class healthcare talent.
“The future professionals graduating today have overcome many hurdles in their professional training. We celebrate not only their academic achievements but their resilience and dedication to participating in transforming communities and driving sustainable development in healthcare,” said Mr. Osano. “Cicely McDonell College has, for 71 years, maintained its reputation as a centre of excellence in healthcare training. Its graduates are in high demand locally and internationally, working in leading hospitals across Britain, America, Australia, and Germany.”
His remarks mirror industry trends: the global shortage of nurses, estimated to reach 13 million by 2030, has created unprecedented opportunities for Kenyan-trained professionals. The College’s strong academic performance, international reputation, and investment in practical training have positioned its graduates to compete and thrive globally.
Strengthening Fit-for-Future Health Workforce
Delivering her address on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Health PS Mary Muthoni celebrated the graduating class and outlined ongoing government efforts to fortify Kenya’s health workforce.
“I celebrate the graduating class of 2025 for your resilience, dedication, and commitment to service. You are stepping into a profession that is the backbone of every health system across the world,” said Ms. Muthoni.
She highlighted government initiatives aimed at supporting nurses through global exposure, leadership development and digital transformation within the healthcare sector. Key among these is the rollout of AI-driven solutions and digital platforms, including the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS), which is designed to strengthen decision-making at facility and community levels. She noted that Kenya has also formalised bilateral agreements with the UK and Germany for ethical international recruitment, ensuring that Kenyan nurses access global opportunities while maintaining national workforce sustainability.
Her address reinforced the critical role that institutions like Cicely McDonell College play in feeding into national priorities such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emergency preparedness, disease surveillance and community-based care.
Cicely McDonell College Celebrating Alumni Impact and Community Mentorship
The ceremony also recognised the Cicely McDonell College alumni community, a vibrant network spanning over seven decades. Alumni continue to significantly contribute to the College by sponsoring students, mentoring current cohorts, driving knowledge exchange, and serving as ambassadors in leading hospitals across Africa, Europe and North America. Their ongoing involvement has helped maintain the College’s culture of excellence and service.
A Future Defined by Excellence, Compassion and Integrity
As the Class of 2025 transitions into hospitals and healthcare facilities across Kenya and the world, the College reaffirmed its mission to continue shaping professionals who uphold values of excellence, compassion and integrity, principles central to its founding history and future direction.
Founded in 1956, the Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences is one of East Africa’s premier institutions for healthcare training and is part of The Nairobi Hospital. Known for its legacy of strong academic standards, disciplined training and global competitiveness, the College offers Diploma and Higher Diploma programs in nursing and recently expanded into Health Care Assistant training. Over the years, it has attracted students from across the African continent and continues to build pathways for global healthcare careers. Its graduates remain instrumental in strengthening health systems locally, regionally and internationally.
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