316 Nursing graduates to proceed for internship

BY ERIC ABUGA

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale today presided over the flag-off ceremony for 316 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates whose internship placements were reinstated following a Ministry-led audit into posting discrepancies.

Speaking during the ceremony at Afya House, the CS Duala reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to fairness and accountability in health workforce deployment.

“We are here this morning to correct a wrong and fulfil a promise,” said CS Duale. “These 316 graduates met all requirements but were mistakenly left out. Today, we restore their rightful place in our health system.”

The development follows the initial deployment of 6,484 interns on June 30, 2025. However, shortly after the posting, complaints emerged concerning irregularities in the BScN intern list. 

A Ministry investigation uncovered that 42 individuals who had not completed their studies, and 306 who had not graduated, had been posted in error. At the same time, 339 eligible graduates had been excluded, including the 316 now reinstated.

CS Duale announced that the Ministry had taken decisive action, including the suspension of the CEO of the Nursing Council of Kenya, Dr. Lister Onsongo, pending further investigations, revocation of internship offers for all unqualified or non-graduated individuals and immediate posting of the 316 graduates who were wrongfully excluded.

“While the initial offers were made in good faith, a detailed audit revealed gaps in graduation and licensure verification,” the CS stated. “Let me be clear—this situation arose from administrative lapses that are being addressed internally. The students are not to blame.”

CS Duale expressed regret over the disruption caused to affected interns and reassured them of the Ministry’s support. He emphasized that once the 306 revoked interns meet all eligibility requirements, they will be prioritised in the next internship cycle.

Looking ahead, the Ministry plans to strengthen collaboration with the Nursing Council of Kenya and training institutions and to establish a centralized digital internship management system to enhance data accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in future postings.

“We are sealing loopholes, enhancing verification, and safeguarding the integrity of our health internship programme,” said CS Duale.