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Diploma in Community Health Assistant

The Diploma in Community Health Assistant is a KNEC-examined programme that trains individuals to serve as community health assistants supporting community health workers and public health officers. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 122,200
Ksh 244,400 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 122,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 244,400 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C- or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

Trainees develop competencies in community health practice, household health assessment, referral systems, health data management, disease prevention, and health education. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with extensive community-based practice and attachments at health facilities.

Kenya's community health strategy requires trained assistants to support the delivery of primary healthcare services at the community level. The programme supports the government's Universal Health Coverage agenda by training personnel who bridge the gap between communities and formal health facilities.

The course is delivered through classroom sessions, community field practice, and supervised clinical attachments. Trainees conduct household visits, manage community health data, and support health campaigns under professional supervision.

Graduates can work as community health assistants, health outreach coordinators, or community health data managers in county health departments, NGOs, and community-based organisations. The programme provides a foundation for progression to Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of C- (minus) who have a passion for community health service. It provides advanced skills for structured community health practice.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Community Health Practice
  • Household Health Assessment
  • Referral Systems
  • Health Data Management
  • Disease Prevention and Control
  • Health Education
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • First Aid and Emergency Care

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Community Health Practice

    Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore

    Covers community health practice principles, the Kenyan community health strategy, and the role of community health assistants.

  • Household Health Assessment

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Develops skills in conducting comprehensive household health assessments and identifying health risks and needs.

  • Health Data Management

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers collection, management, analysis, and reporting of community health data using Ministry of Health tools.

  • Disease Prevention and Control

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers communicable and non-communicable disease prevention strategies and community-level control measures.

  • Referral and Linkage Systems

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Trainees learn the referral system between community and health facilities including criteria and follow-up.

  • Health Education and Promotion

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Develops skills in planning and delivering health education sessions for communities and schools.

  • Maternal and Child Health

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers maternal and child health programmes, antenatal care support, immunisation, and child health monitoring.

  • First Aid and Emergency Care

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Develops first aid and emergency response skills for community health emergencies.

Specialisations

  • Maternal and Child Health

    Focuses on supporting maternal and child health programmes at community level.

  • Health Data Management

    Specialises in community health data collection, analysis, and reporting.

  • Disease Surveillance

    Covers community-level disease surveillance and outbreak response.

  • Health Education

    Focuses on delivering structured health education in communities and schools.

A day as a student

A typical day includes morning theory on community health practice, followed by afternoon field visits to communities where trainees conduct household assessments, manage health data, and support health education sessions under supervision.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Community health is a government priority under Universal Health Coverage.Field work can be physically demanding in remote areas.
Opportunities to work with NGOs and international health organisations.Some positions are contract-based depending on project funding.
Foundation for progression to public health degree programmes.—

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses
Public67k to 122k
67k at Public TVET institutions (standardised rate)122k at KMTC (Year 1 self-sponsored)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KMTC self-spon 118K-122K/yr (tvet.co.ke). TVET 67K/yr. Private: unverified.

HELB TVET loans, KUCCPS capitation, and county bursaries are available for eligible students.

Funding options

  • HELB TVET Loan

  • KUCCPS Government Capitation

  • County Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

  • HELB TVET Loan

    LoanKsh 50,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions

  • County Bursary

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes

Scholarships you could apply for

1 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C-minimum entry
Alternative entry

Passed Certificate in Community Health or equivalent.

Subject requirements
EnglishD
BiologyD

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including GoCare Training Institute.

May 20271 institution

Including GoCare Training Institute.

September 20271 institution

Including GoCare Training Institute.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • KNEC Module I Examination

    Written examination70% of the mark

    Module I theory examination covering community health foundations.

  • KNEC Module II Examination

    Written examination70% of the mark

    Module II theory and practical examination covering advanced community health practice.

  • Field Practice Assessment

    Practicum30% of the mark

    Assessment of community health field practice competencies.

Accreditation

  • Kenya National Examinations Council

    AcademicRequired

    KNEC examines and certifies the Diploma in Community Health Assistant.

  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority

    AcademicRequired

    TVETA accredits institutions offering community health programmes.

Examined by KNEC and accredited by TVETA. Community health practice is overseen by the Ministry of Health.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Community Health Assistant

    High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000

    Supports community health programmes in health centres and county health departments.

  • Health Outreach Coordinator

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000

    Coordinates health outreach activities for NGOs and community-based organisations.

  • Community Health Data Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000

    Manages community health data collection and reporting for county health departments.

  • Health Education Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000

    Delivers health education programmes in communities and schools.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as community health assistants and health outreach coordinators in county health departments and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Community health assistants are just volunteers.

    Diploma-level assistants are formally trained and employed by county governments and organisations.

  • This is the same as a nursing diploma.

    Community health assistants focus on community-level health services, not clinical patient care in facilities.

  • There is no career progression.

    Graduates can progress to Bachelor of Public Health and related health science degrees.

  • Community health work is only about giving talks.

    The role involves assessment, data management, referrals, disease surveillance, and programme support.

Further reading

Read next