By Eddah Waithaka
The Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences celebrated a major milestone on Friday, commissioning 140 new nurses and healthcare assistants into the profession during its 31st graduation ceremony.
The college, a part of The Nairobi Hospital, conferred diplomas and certificates to the Class of 2025, highlighting its seven-decade legacy of addressing critical healthcare needs in Kenya and the region.
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni presided over the event, which also drew leaders from the Kenya Hospital Association Board, international partners, regulators, and proud families.
A Cohort of Frontline Ready Professionals
This year’s graduating class sends a diverse group of skilled professionals into the workforce.
The college awarded 89 Registered Nurse Diplomas, 32 Higher Diplomas in specialized fields like Trauma & Emergency and Critical Care, and 19 Health Care Assistants, the first cohort from a newly accredited program.
The institution demonstrated its commitment to quality, with a remarkable 98.5% of graduates passing their professional licensing examinations on the first try.
Principal Dr. Margaret Sirima celebrated the class, stating, “We are officially commissioning 140 future professionals who will stand at the frontlines in the fight against diseases.”
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She credited the college’s enduring mission to the legacy of its namesake, Sister Cicely McDonell, whose “life of service and compassion set the foundation we stand on today.”
Government Outlines Support for Healthcare Workforce
In an address delivered on behalf of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, PS Mary Muthoni praised the graduates’ resilience and dedication.
“You are stepping into a profession that is the backbone of every health system across the world,” Muthoni said.
She outlined the government’s strategic investments to empower healthcare workers, including the rollout of digital health platforms like the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS).
The Ministry is also formalizing bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom and Germany to create ethical pathways for international recruitment and professional development.
Graduates Express Confidence and DriveThe ceremony’s excitement was palpable among the new graduates.
Faith Nduta, who graduated with a Higher Diploma in Trauma and Emergency Nursing and received two awards, encapsulated the cohort’s readiness.
“Trauma and emergency is super challenging. You have to be knowledgeable; there are no shortcuts,” Nduta said. “We must be well-prepared so that when you meet that patient who needs your help, you are ready.”
She urged her fellow graduates to “go and practice what they have learned in class. Remember, we are the first responders.”
A Legacy Expanding into the Future
The Nairobi Hospital’s CEO, Felix Osano, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing world-class professionals.
“We celebrate not only their academic achievements but their resilience and dedication to transforming communities,” Osano said, noting that Cicely McDonell graduates are in high demand in leading hospitals across Britain, America, Australia, and Germany.
The Board of Management also revealed a strategic vision to transition the college into a standalone, specialized medical university, a move that would significantly expand its impact on healthcare education in the region.
As the Class of 2025 steps into their roles, they carry forward a 71-year tradition of excellence, compassion, and integrity, ready to tackle modern health challenges and advance universal healthcare goals worldwide.
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