The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) has issued a strong warning to prospective students about fake social media accounts impersonating top officials, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Registrar. The scammers are using these accounts to exploit students seeking various services, such as admissions, inter-campus transfers, and course changes.
Details of the Scam
KMTC specifically flagged two fraudulent accounts on social media platforms. One impersonates CEO Kelly Oluoch, while the other pretends to be Registrar Ronald Wasike. These accounts were soliciting money from students, asking for amounts as low as Ksh 1,000 to expedite services like course changes or inter-campus transfers.
Red Flags Identified:
- Low Follower Count: The fraudulent registrar account had only 31 followers, a clear sign of its illegitimacy.
- Legitimate-Looking CEO Account: The fake CEO account had over 3,000 followers, making it more deceptive and capable of convincing students.
- Unverified Payment Requests: The scammers requested mobile money payments to allegedly process student services, which is against the official KMTC procedures.
Official KMTC Communication
KMTC clarified that all official communications are made through its verified channels, such as its official website and X account, which boasts over 37,000 followers. Furthermore, KMTC emphasized that no official payments are ever requested via personal phone numbers or unofficial platforms.
The institution reiterated that school fees are the only payments made through official, government-approved channels.
The History of KMTC
Founded in 1927, KMTC is the largest institution in Kenya for training healthcare professionals. With 71 campuses across the country, KMTC offers government-sponsored training programs linked directly to employment opportunities in Kenya’s public health sector. In fact, over 85% of Kenya’s medical workforce has passed through KMTC, making it a lucrative target for scammers.
Broader Implications and Government Action
This warning follows a growing trend of online scams targeting students. A similar issue was raised by the Social Health Authority (SHA), which flagged fake job alerts circulating on social media.
As scammers exploit educational and employment opportunities in Kenya’s public sector, KMTC urges all students and applicants to be cautious and only rely on verified platforms for official information.
Conclusion
KMTC’s alert serves as an important reminder to students and parents to always verify the legitimacy of online accounts and transactions. It’s essential to avoid engaging with unofficial communication and payments when dealing with educational institutions like KMTC.
For more information, students are advised to visit official KMTC websites or contact the institution directly through its verified communication channels.
