Ministry Deploys Over 6,300 Healthcare Interns for One-Year Internship Programme
The Ministry of Health has announced the deployment of 6,360 healthcare interns who will begin their compulsory 12-month internship programme on July 1, 2026.
The exercise marks one of the largest annual placements of newly qualified healthcare professionals in Kenya and is expected to strengthen healthcare services in public hospitals across the country.
In a statement released on Friday, June 26, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that all preparations for the 2026/2027 internship programme had been completed.
He said the interns have been assigned to various healthcare facilities nationwide, where they will receive practical training as they prepare to become fully licensed medical professionals.
The Ministry explained that the internship programme is a mandatory step for graduates in different healthcare fields.
During the one-year training period, the interns will work under the supervision of experienced medical professionals, allowing them to gain hands-on clinical experience, improve their practical skills, and prepare for independent practice.
According to the Ministry, the latest group of interns consists of professionals from several medical disciplines. A total of 875 Medical Officer interns have been posted, alongside 69 Dental Officer interns.
The programme also includes 615 Pharmacy Officer interns, 2,000 Bachelor of Science Nursing Officer interns, 705 Bachelor of Science Clinical Officer interns, and 2,096 Diploma Clinical Officer interns.
Together, these groups make up the total of 6,360 interns set to begin their placements next month.
The Ministry has directed all eligible pre-interns to collect their official internship offer letters in person before reporting to their assigned stations.
The letters will be issued on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Ministry of Health headquarters, Afya House in Nairobi.
Collection will begin at 9:00 a.m., and all successful applicants have been advised to attend in person to complete the necessary documentation before starting their internship.
Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale urged the interns to report as instructed and prepare for the important role they will play in supporting healthcare delivery across the country.
He noted that the internship programme remains a key part of developing a skilled and competent healthcare workforce capable of meeting the growing medical needs of Kenyans.
This year’s deployment comes after a period of uncertainty that affected internship placements in recent years.
Nearly two years ago, disagreements over the salaries and working conditions of intern doctors led to nationwide industrial action, raising concerns about possible disruptions to healthcare services in public hospitals.
The dispute was finally resolved in December 2024 after the government reached an agreement with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
The agreement resulted in the cancellation of a planned nationwide doctors’ strike, bringing an end to months of negotiations between the two sides.
As part of the deal, intern doctors were guaranteed a monthly salary of approximately Ksh206,000, in accordance with the Return-to-Work Formula and the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The government also committed itself to clearing all outstanding salary arrears owed to intern doctors, addressing one of the major concerns raised by the union.
The agreement was signed by representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, and KMPDU under the supervision of then Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The signing brought much-needed stability to Kenya’s healthcare sector and cleared the way for the continued placement of medical interns.
The latest internship deployment is expected to increase the number of healthcare workers serving in public health facilities across the country.
By placing thousands of newly qualified professionals in hospitals and health centres, the Ministry hopes to improve patient care, reduce staff shortages, and enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services while giving young medical graduates valuable practical experience.
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