Healthcare novices stage a demonstration in response to the Ministry of Health withdrawing their hospital assignments
The nursing internship placements for over 300 students in Kenya have been revoked, causing a stir among the affected individuals. According to reports, the Ministry of Health found that these pre-interns were unqualified, as they had not graduated at the time they were posted for internship. This decision follows an audit of the 2025/2026 internship cohort, after an initial 42 internship offers had already been revoked for similar reasons related to eligibility breaches.
The affected students claim they have completed their studies and clinical requirements, and argue that any policy changes should not apply retroactively. They also assert that graduation is a ceremonial event, and what truly matters is the completion of their studies and clinicals.
Some of the interns had already reported to work and paid rent before their placements were cancelled, causing serious financial and emotional distress. One intern, Sheila Nyaboke, stated that new rules should not punish them after they've been vetted and posted. Another, Khaemba, expressed frustration over being posted to Gatundu, paying rent, and then being told to return.
The interns claim they were vetted twice by the Nursing Council of Kenya and officially posted to hospitals. They question the Ministry's sudden change of requirements regarding the letter of completion. The Health Cabinet Secretary, CS Duale, maintains that graduation is a mandatory requirement.
In response to the situation, the Ministry suspended the Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing Council of Kenya, Lister Onsongo, pending further investigations. The Ministry also identified 316 other pre-interns who were eligible but had been omitted and issued new internship placements to them. The most affected universities include Baraton (92), Kirinyaga (46), and Pwani (48).
However, the interns are not backing down. They plan to demonstrate and sleep outside Afya House until they are reinstated. Some are also pursuing legal options to fight the decision. As of now, there is no explicit detail about any ongoing protests, court cases, or organized demonstrations by those whose placements were revoked.
The revocations have sparked a debate about accountability within regulatory bodies and the fairness of the decision. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the coming days.
[1] Ministry of Health, Kenya. (n.d.). Internship Placements for Nursing Students Revoked. Retrieved from https://www.health.go.ke/internship-placements-for-nursing-students-revoked/
[2] The Standard. (2022, March 22). Ministry revokes internship placements for 306 pre-interns. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001416644/ministry-revokes-internship-placements-for-306-pre-interns
[3] The Star. (2022, March 22). Ministry revokes internship placements for 306 pre-interns. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-03-22-ministry-revokes-internship-placements-for-306-pre-interns/
[4] NTV Kenya. (2022, March 22). Ministry revokes internship placements for 306 pre-interns. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.co.ke/news/health/2022-03-22-ministry-revokes-internship-placements-for-306-pre-interns/
- The stir caused by the revoked internship placements in Kenya's nursing program has brought the issue of workplace-wellness and mental-health to the forefront, as countless students grapple with the consequences of the Ministry's decision.
- As politically charged debates about policy-and-legislation regarding health-and-wellness continue to unfold, the general-news media outlets—epaper, print, and digital—are closely monitoring the situation, reporting updates on the intern's ongoing protests, court cases, and potential resolutions.
- In light of the revoked internships, discussions about accountability within regulatory bodies such as the Nursing Council of Kenya are gaining traction in the realm of science and education, while some argue for improved standards to ensure the qualification of future interns.
- Given the financial and emotional hardships faced by the affected interns, their efforts to seek justice and fairness echo broader concerns about crime-and-justice and social inequality within the Kenyan community.
- As the situation regarding the internships unfolds, it offers a lens through which to examine broader issues related to the intersection of politics, healthcare, and education in Kenya, prompting reflection on the role of these interconnected sectors in shaping the future of the nation.
