Health Sciences

Diploma in Environmental Health

The Diploma in Environmental Health is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in public health, environmental sanitation, water safety, occupational health, food hygiene and disease prevention. Offered at multiple universities in Kenya, the programme prepares students for careers as public health officers supporting community health and environmental safety.

The curriculum covers environmental health principles, public health, epidemiology, water supply and sanitation, waste management, food hygiene and safety, occupational health and safety, vector control, housing and health, air quality management, environmental legislation, health education, community mobilisation, research methods, communication skills and industrial attachment. Students develop both technical and community engagement skills.

Kenya's health sector prioritises preventive and promotive health services, with environmental health officers playing a critical role in disease prevention, sanitation and public health enforcement. The programme responds to the need for qualified public health officers who can implement environmental health programmes at county and community levels.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field visits, community health campaigns, case studies, research projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in water quality testing, sanitation inspection, food hygiene assessment and health education through fieldwork and attachment at county health departments, public health offices or environmental health agencies.

Graduates pursue careers as public health officers, environmental health officers, sanitation officers, food safety officers and health inspectors in county governments, national government, NGOs and private sector organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health or Public Health.

Prospective students should have an interest in public health, community service and environmental protection. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in environmental health and public health practice.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 120,700
Private, up to: Ksh 100,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Environmental Health Principles and Public Health
Water Supply, Sanitation and Waste Management
Food Hygiene and Safety
Occupational Health and Safety
Epidemiology and Vector Control
Environmental Legislation and Health Education
Housing, Air Quality and Environmental Inspection
Research Methods, Communication and Community Mobilisation

Modules

8 in the programme

Environmental Health Principles and Public Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental health principles, public health concepts, health systems in Kenya, disease prevention frameworks and the role of environmental health officers.
Water Supply, Sanitation and Waste Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers water sources, water treatment, water quality testing, excreta disposal, solid waste management, liquid waste management and sanitation technologies.
Food Hygiene and Safety
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers food safety principles, foodborne diseases, food inspection, food premises licensing, meat inspection and food hygiene regulations.
Epidemiology and Vector Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers epidemiological principles, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, vector-borne diseases, vector control methods and pest management.
Occupational Health and Safety
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers occupational health hazards, workplace safety, industrial hygiene, occupational diseases, risk assessment and safety legislation.
Environmental Legislation and Health Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental health legislation, public health law, health education methods, community mobilisation, behaviour change communication and advocacy.
Housing, Air Quality and Environmental Inspection
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers housing and health, indoor air quality, ambient air pollution, environmental inspection methods, audit reports and enforcement procedures.
Research Methods, Communication and Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Covers research methods, data collection, report writing, communication skills, plus a three-month industrial attachment at a county health department or public health office.

Specialisations

Water and Sanitation
Focuses on water safety and sanitation management for careers as sanitation officers.
Food Safety
Specialises in food hygiene and inspection for careers as food safety officers.
Occupational Health
Focuses on workplace safety and health for careers in occupational health and safety.
Disease Control
Specialises in epidemiology and vector control for careers in disease surveillance and outbreak response.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on epidemiology or water sanitation, followed by a laboratory session on water quality testing. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to inspect a water treatment facility, a food hygiene assessment exercise, or a community health education practical. Students also work on environmental health projects and prepare for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Public health officers are employed by every county government in Kenya, providing stable career opportunities.
The programme combines scientific knowledge with practical fieldwork and community engagement.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health or Public Health.

Against it

Field work may involve exposure to health hazards and working in challenging environments.
The programme requires strong science subjects at KCSE, making entry more competitive than some diplomas.

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

Public121k to 121k

121k at KMTC121k at KMTC

Private89k to 100k

89k at Mount Kenya University100k at Kabarak University

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 120,700/yr (businessradar). Kabarak 100K, MKU 88,650/yr (kabarak.ac.ke, tuko.co.ke).

Students can access HELB loans and government scholarships under Kenya's new funding model. County governments may offer bursaries for students pursuing health programmes.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Certificate in Public Health, Community Health or Environmental Health from a recognised institution.

English or Kiswahili
C
Biology or Biological Sciences
C
Mathematics or Physics
C-
Chemistry
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering environmental health principles, water sanitation and food hygiene.
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions on water quality testing and field practicals on sanitation inspection.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
An environmental health research project assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a county health department or public health office.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are eligible for registration as public health officers. The programme is offered at Egerton University, Kabarak University, Kenyatta University and Turkana University College.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are eligible for registration as public health officers. Offered at Egerton University, Kabarak University, Kenyatta University and Turkana University College.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Public Health Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 180,000
Implements public health programmes, inspects facilities, enforces health regulations and manages disease prevention at county and community levels.
Environmental Health Officer
High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 170,000
Conducts environmental health inspections, monitors water and food safety, manages sanitation programmes and responds to health hazards.
Food Safety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 140,000
Inspects food premises, enforces food hygiene standards, conducts food sampling and investigates foodborne disease outbreaks.
Sanitation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages sanitation programmes, oversees waste management systems, monitors water quality and promotes hygiene in communities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as public health officers, environmental health officers and sanitation officers in county governments, national government and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental health is just about cleaning the environment.
Environmental health covers water safety, food hygiene, occupational health, disease prevention, sanitation, air quality and public health legislation enforcement.
Environmental health officers are just cleaners.
Environmental health officers are trained public health professionals who inspect facilities, enforce health regulations, manage disease outbreaks and promote community health.
There are no jobs for environmental health graduates.
Every county government in Kenya employs public health officers, with additional opportunities in NGOs, private sector and international organisations.
Environmental health is the same as environmental science.
Environmental health focuses on human health and disease prevention, while environmental science focuses on ecological systems and environmental management.