A brand new directive by Kenya’s Ministry of Health aimed toward reforming the nursing internship program has sparked widespread backlash and public outcry.
On July 22, the Ministry introduced that solely college students admitted to nursing applications by means of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) would qualify for government-sponsored internships.
Self-sponsored college students would now be required to fund their internships independently.
“Only college students positioned by means of KUCCPS might be eligible for government-sponsored internships. Self-sponsored college students might be required to fund their very own internships,” the Ministry said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale revealed the coverage throughout a consultative assembly with universities providing nursing levels.
He framed the reforms as a vital step to revive integrity, transparency, and equity within the internship placement course of, following critical irregularities uncovered within the 2025/2026 cycle.
Table of Contents
Public Outrage Over the Policy
The announcement rapidly triggered criticism on-line, with many accusing the federal government of discriminating towards self-sponsored college students.
Critics argue that the brand new coverage creates an unfair divide between college students pursuing the identical career, a lot of whom solely self-sponsored resulting from restricted KUCCPS slots.
“Both teams attend the identical courses, sit the identical exams, and pursue the identical careers,” wrote Martin Kiswili on Facebook. “This coverage is unfair and disheartening, particularly for many who had no selection however to pay for his or her schooling.”
“Not everybody will get positioned by KUCCPS even when they’re extremely certified,” added Ebrahim Junior.
“If the federal government received’t give them internships, at the least problem them their licenses. Don’t punish them.”
Others questioned the legality and ethics of the transfer.
“Are self-sponsored college students not additionally Kenyan taxpayers?” requested Ruheni Bin Githuka. “Everyone deserves equal entry to alternatives and schooling.”
Some warned that the coverage may deepen divisions throughout the healthcare sector.
“Then count on self-sponsored medics to solely deal with self-sponsored sufferers,” wrote Dracun Medin in a sarcastic publish.
Defending the adjustments, CS Duale stated, “These reforms are supposed to shield the way forward for healthcare in Kenya. We desire a honest, accountable, and high-quality system for coaching well being professionals.”
Internship Scandal and Accountability Measures
The controversial coverage comes on the heels of an audit that uncovered main flaws within the 2025/2026 internship placement course of.
The audit revealed that 42 college students who had not accomplished their research had been granted internships, whereas 339 certified candidates had been excluded.
As a consequence, CS Duale suspended the CEO of the Nursing Council of Kenya, Dr. Lister Onsongo, for failing to correctly vet pupil information. The Ministry additionally revoked the internship provides prolonged to the 42 ineligible college students.
The deployment of the 2025/2026 internship placements included 2,098 BSc Nursing Officer interns, 1,993 Clinical Officer interns (Diploma), 1,147 Medical Officer interns, 659 BSc Clinical Officer interns, 500 Pharmacist interns, and 87 Dentist interns.
