Being a medical student, one of the very basics of anatomy is osteology (the study of bones), and our textbooks are full of X-ray images of bones. So, the other day, while studying the skull, I felt a surge of curiosity I couldn’t shake. I wanted to know what it really takes to be a radiographer (the professionals who actually produce those images I stare at in class). So, I made my way to the radiology department and found Dr. Kimani behind a CT scan screen, making notes for a neurosurgeon. He looked up from the monitor and welcomed me warmly, and that’s when our conversation began. I asked him why he chose radiography. He chuckled, eyes still on the CT display, and said, “Radiography fascinated me because it’s where technology and patient care meet. The radiographer is the one who captures the images doctors use to make critical decisions every day.” He explained that at the time he trained there wasn’t a direct Bachelor’s degree path in radiography; many people began with a diploma and then advanced further later in their careers. Because he now teaches at JKUAT, he walked me through how things have changed for aspiring students. “JKUAT has now introduced a Bachelor of Science in Radiography that you can enter right after KCSE,” he said. “For direct entry, you need a KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus), with at least C+ in Biology, Physics/Mathematics, Chemistry, and English/Kiswahili and cluster points of not less than 41. The program is structured so that by the time you graduate, you’re confident in handling imaging equipment and working with real patients.” He also pointed out a pathway I hadn’t considered: “Students who already hold a Diploma or Higher Diploma in Radiography or related health sciences can upgrade into the degree program. When you come in with that experience, you don’t start from scratch — you move into the parts of the course that build on what you already know, which shortens your study time.” Curious, I asked him how the curriculum is designed. “The early years focus on the science behind imaging; how X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasound machines work, radiation safety, patient positioning, and the physics that make imaging possible. Then, later you transition into clinical rotations in hospitals and imaging centers. That’s where theory meets real life; capturing images, making sure they’re of diagnostic quality, and interacting with patients and doctors.” I watched him gesture toward the CT monitor as he talked about the hands-on part, and I asked what a typical day looks like for him now that he’s both practicing and teaching. He smiled, “There’s no typical day, honestly. Some mornings I’m assisting surgeons with imaging decisions, other days I’m guiding students through hands-on training or interpreting scans. Radiography demands precision, patience, and a deep understanding of both technology and human biology, but it’s incredibly fulfilling to see how what you capture help save lives.” Then I asked the question I really wanted to know: “So, what can you do with a radiography degree?” He lit up.“Once you graduate,” he began, “your career options are broad and meaningful. You can work as a Diagnostic Radiographer in hospital imaging departments, performing X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. You could become a CT or MRI Technologist, specializing in advanced imaging. Some radiographers work in interventional imaging suites, assisting with image-guided procedures. Others branch into teleradiography, providing remote imaging services, especially important in rural or underserved areas. With experience, you can move into management or leadership roles in diagnostic departments, or into academia and teaching, like I do. You could also specialize further, pursue advanced certifications, or even work in research and equipment training.” Finally, I asked him what advice he would give someone thinking of venturing into the JKUAT radiography course. He looked thoughtful before answering, “Be curious and always ready to learn. Radiography isn’t just about operating machines — it’s about understanding the why behind what you capture and how what you do affects a person’s diagnosis and treatment. The clinical rotations can be intense, but that’s where you grow the most. You must have worked hard on your science subjects in high school, and if you’re upgrading from a diploma, use that experience to push forward. Embrace the technology; develop your patient care skills; and remember that a radiographer doesn’t just take pictures; they help doctors see what words alone cannot.”

Being a medical student, one of the very basics of anatomy is osteology (the study of bones), and our textbooks are full of X-ray images of bones. So, the other day, while studying the skull, I felt a surge of curiosity I couldn’t shake. I wanted to know what it really takes to be a radiographer (the professionals who actually produce those images I stare at in class). So, I made my way to the radiology department and found Dr. Kimani behind a CT scan screen, making notes for a neurosurgeon. He looked up from the monitor and welcomed me warmly, and that’s when our conversation began. I asked him why he chose radiography. He chuckled, eyes still on the CT display, and said, “Radiography fascinated me because it’s where technology and patient care meet. The radiographer is the one who captures the images doctors use to make critical decisions every day.” He explained that at the time he trained there wasn’t a direct Bachelor’s degree path in radiography; many people began with a diploma and then advanced further later in their careers. Because he now teaches at JKUAT, he walked me through how things have changed for aspiring students. “JKUAT has now introduced a Bachelor of Science in Radiography that you can enter right after KCSE,” he said. “For direct entry, you need a KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus), with at least C+ in Biology, Physics/Mathematics, Chemistry, and English/Kiswahili and cluster points of not less than 41. The program is structured so that by the time you graduate, you’re confident in handling imaging equipment and working with real patients.” He also pointed out a pathway I hadn’t considered: “Students who already hold a Diploma or Higher Diploma in Radiography or related health sciences can upgrade into the degree program. When you come in with that experience, you don’t start from scratch — you move into the parts of the course that build on what you already know, which shortens your study time.” Curious, I asked him how the curriculum is designed. “The early years focus on the science behind imaging; how X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasound machines work, radiation safety, patient positioning, and the physics that make imaging possible. Then, later you transition into clinical rotations in hospitals and imaging centers. That’s where theory meets real life; capturing images, making sure they’re of diagnostic quality, and interacting with patients and doctors.” I watched him gesture toward the CT monitor as he talked about the hands-on part, and I asked what a typical day looks like for him now that he’s both practicing and teaching. He smiled, “There’s no typical day, honestly. Some mornings I’m assisting surgeons with imaging decisions, other days I’m guiding students through hands-on training or interpreting scans. Radiography demands precision, patience, and a deep understanding of both technology and human biology, but it’s incredibly fulfilling to see how what you capture help save lives.” Then I asked the question I really wanted to know: “So, what can you do with a radiography degree?” He lit up.“Once you graduate,” he began, “your career options are broad and meaningful. You can work as a Diagnostic Radiographer in hospital imaging departments, performing X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. You could become a CT or MRI Technologist, specializing in advanced imaging. Some radiographers work in interventional imaging suites, assisting with image-guided procedures. Others branch into teleradiography, providing remote imaging services, especially important in rural or underserved areas. With experience, you can move into management or leadership roles in diagnostic departments, or into academia and teaching, like I do. You could also specialize further, pursue advanced certifications, or even work in research and equipment training.” Finally, I asked him what advice he would give someone thinking of venturing into the JKUAT radiography course. He looked thoughtful before answering, “Be curious and always ready to learn. Radiography isn’t just about operating machines — it’s about understanding the why behind what you capture and how what you do affects a person’s diagnosis and treatment. The clinical rotations can be intense, but that’s where you grow the most. You must have worked hard on your science subjects in high school, and if you’re upgrading from a diploma, use that experience to push forward. Embrace the technology; develop your patient care skills; and remember that a radiographer doesn’t just take pictures; they help doctors see what words alone cannot.”