The Ministry of Health has officially deployed 6,484 healthcare interns to accredited public hospitals across Kenya, marking the start of the 2025/2026 internship programme aimed at strengthening Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and expanding access to quality care.
The deployment was commissioned by Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale at Afya House in Nairobi, who lauded the move as a milestone in the government’s commitment to timely internship posting and strategic health workforce planning.
“These young professionals are not just numbers; they are future caregivers,” CS Duale said during the Friday, June 28 event. “Every patient they encounter represents a life, a story, and a trust placed in their hands. I expect them to serve with discipline, humility, and professionalism.”
According to the Ministry, the interns officially reported to their stations on Monday, July 1, 2025, for a structured 12-month supervised clinical training programme in line with global standards and requirements for full licensure.
Intern Pay Structure and Cost
The government has committed to spending approximately Sh2.5 billion over the course of the year to support the internship programme, which includes basic salaries and allowances for the interns.
In a clarification posted on social media, the Ministry confirmed that each intern will receive a basic monthly salary of Sh46,120, with allowances boosting the total remuneration to around Sh208,000, consistent with the Civil Service Group 9 (Job Group ‘L’) pay scale.
“The posting letters for intern doctors specify a basic salary of Sh46,120 per month, with allowances applicable to CSG 9/JG ‘L’, bringing the total monthly remuneration to approximately Sh208,000,” the Ministry said.
Intern Cadres and Distribution
The newly deployed cohort includes a broad range of medical and allied health professionals:
- 1,147 medical officer interns
- 87 dentist interns
- 500 pharmacy interns
- 659 clinical officer interns (Bachelor of Science degree holders)
- 1,993 clinical officer interns (diploma holders)
- 2,098 nursing officer interns (Bachelor of Science in Nursing holders)
CS Duale emphasized that all eligible interns were expected to collect their posting letters in person on Monday, June 30, 2025, from Afya House upon presentation of a valid national ID card.
Strategic Workforce Reforms
Speaking alongside senior health officials including Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and health union leaders, Duale reiterated that health remains central to President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He noted that the government’s strategic plan includes transparent recruitment, investment in health infrastructure, and a workforce that is technically competent, ethically grounded, and motivated by compassion and accountability.
“The Kenya Kwanza government has deliberately placed health at the core of its transformation agenda. That demands a workforce that is not only skilled but also driven by integrity,” Duale said.
Stakeholder Support
Leaders from major professional associations, including KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako, and KUCO CEO George Gibore, were present during the event and expressed support for the structured internship programme, calling for sustained funding and timely placements in the future.
The deployment is expected to bolster Kenya’s public health system, especially in under-served counties, as the country moves closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage by expanding healthcare accessibility and quality at grassroots levels.
