Course: Mortuary Science at KMTC

Everyone laughs at Mortuary Science. Then they look at the applications.

KMTC launched the Diploma in Mortuary Science in 2023, the first of its kind in East and Central Africa. Most people doing this work had been trained on the job in funeral parlours. A study by University of Nairobi lecturers and Kenyatta National Hospital pathologists found gaps in how morticians were trained.

The demand

KMTC’s CEO reported 250 applications for 50 slots in 2025. That’s about 5 applicants for every place.

What you need to get in

✓ Minimum mean grade C-
✓ No subject requirements on the KUCCPS portal
✓ 3 years (6 semesters)
✓ Certificate holders join in Year 2
✓ Campuses on KUCCPS: Bondo, Embu, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Machakos, Marsabit, Mombasa and Nairobi

The grade bar is low. The competition isn’t.

What you study

Pathology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, mortuary tools and equipment, post-mortem and embalming techniques, law and ethics, grief counselling, interment and exhumation, mortuary and funeral services management, and medical and mortuary waste management.

What the job actually is

County adverts describe receiving and admitting bodies, documenting them, identifying medico-legal cases, embalming, body reconstruction, dressing and cosmetics, and assisting the pathologist in post-mortems.

Before you can practise

KMTC says graduates need a period of mentorship and licensure before they’re allowed to practise. One county advert asked for the diploma, an apprenticeship and a licensing exam.

Where the jobs are right now

✓ Nairobi City County advertised 30 locum mortician posts requiring a diploma in mortuary science or equivalent
✓ Kiambu advertised 5 Assistant Mortuary Superintendent posts at Job Group 11 requiring the diploma
✓ Nakuru advertised 16 Mortuary Attendant III posts, and Kitui advertised 18 attendant posts and 6 Mortuary Technician III posts
✓ Murang’a advertised a mortician intern post, and Karatina University advertised a laboratory technologist (mortician) post accepting the diploma

The catch

✗ Attendant posts like Kitui’s ask only for KCSE D plain, 1 year in a funeral establishment and 3 months of training
✗ So the diploma competes with short-course holders for attendant jobs. Its edge is the higher grades, such as technician and superintendent
✗ Nairobi’s 30 posts are locum, not permanent

We found no verified standard pay figure, so we won’t guess one.

It’s GOOD if:
✓ You can handle emotionally heavy work and treat families with care
✓ You’ll complete your apprenticeship and licensing
✓ You’re open to counties, hospitals, universities or private funeral services

It’s BAD if:
✗ You chose it because the entry grade is low
✗ You expect a permanent government post straight away
✗ You think the diploma alone puts you above experienced attendants

Download KMTC Student Hub for notes, past papers and an AI study assistant before your exams.

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