Kenya’s Health Ministry Revokes 306 Nursing Internships, Opens 316 New Slots After Integrity Probe

Kenya’s Health Ministry Revokes 306 Nursing Internships, Opens 316 New Slots After Integrity Probe

By Fellow Nurses Africa | August 1, 2025

In a significant overhaul of Kenya’s healthcare internship program, the Ministry of Health has revoked 306 nursing internships following a 2025/2026 integrity probe that exposed critical irregularities. This development, announced by Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale, has ignited discussions across Africa’s nursing and healthcare sectors, highlighting the need for robust oversight in nursing education and internship placements.

306 Nursing Internships Cancelled After Audit

The Ministry’s decision stems from a thorough audit of 2,098 nursing pre-internship applicants, conducted on July 1, 2025. The review revealed that 306 candidates were ineligible for nursing internships as they had not completed their academic programs. This follows an earlier revocation of 42 internship placements on July 21, bringing the total cancellations to 348.

The probe underscores systemic gaps in the verification processes for nursing qualifications, raising concerns about the integrity of nursing training programs in Kenya and their implications for healthcare standards across Africa.

Affected Universities in Kenya

Several prominent Kenyan universities were implicated in the irregularities, with the following institutions most affected:

• Baraton University: 92 students
• Kirinyaga University: 46 students
• Pwani University: 48 students
• Kenyatta University: 22 students
• Daystar University: 7 students
• Methodist University: 3 students
• UMMA University: 2 students

These findings have sparked calls for stricter regulation of nursing education in both public and private universities, a critical issue for nursing professionals and healthcare systems continent-wide.

316 New Nursing Internship Opportunities

In a corrective action, the Ministry of Health identified 316 qualified nursing pre-interns who were erroneously excluded from the initial internship list. These eligible candidates, who meet all academic and regulatory requirements, are invited to collect their internship offer letters on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Afya House, Nairobi. Candidates must present a valid national ID card to receive their letters.

This move aims to restore fairness and transparency in Kenya’s nursing internship program, ensuring that only qualified nurses are deployed to serve in healthcare facilities.

Nursing Council Leadership Shakeup

The crisis has also prompted leadership changes at the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). CEO Lister Onsongo was suspended for unlawfully submitting 42 unqualified students for internship placements. Ann Mukuna, the Director of Standards and Compliance, has assumed interim leadership of the Council.

Health CS Duale emphasized that the breach violated the Nursing Council Act and Public Service Commission (PSC) guidelines. “All parties found culpable—whether from the Ministry, Council, or universities—will face accountability,” Duale stated, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to ethical nursing practices.

Implications for Africa’s Nursing and Healthcare Sectors

This incident serves as a wake-up call for nursing education and healthcare systems across Africa. As countries work to strengthen their healthcare workforce, maintaining integrity in nursing training, internship placements, and licensure processes is paramount. The Kenyan case highlights the need for:

• Enhanced verification of nursing qualifications
• Stronger collaboration between health ministries and educational institutions
• Transparent and merit-based internship allocation systems

For nursing students, educators, and professionals, this underscores the importance of adhering to regulatory standards to uphold the credibility of the nursing profession.

A Commitment to Quality Nursing in Kenya

The Ministry of Health’s decisive actions reflect its dedication to building a competent and ethical nursing workforce. By addressing irregularities and offering new opportunities to qualified candidates, Kenya is taking steps to safeguard its healthcare system and set a precedent for other African nations.

Fellow Nurses Africa remains committed to providing the latest updates on nursing education, healthcare policies, and professional development opportunities across the continent. Stay tuned for more insights on how this development shapes the future of nursing in Kenya and beyond.