NAIROBI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has flagged off 6,784 healthcare interns for the 2026/2027 internship cohort, describing the deployment as a major step toward strengthening Kenya’s health workforce and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Monday, Duale said the interns will be deployed across all 47 counties under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The cohort comprises 875 medical officer interns, 69 dental officer interns, 616 pharmacist interns, 2,424 Bachelor of Science nursing officer interns, 705 Bachelor of Science clinical officer interns and 2,096 diploma clinical officer interns.
The government has allocated Sh9.316 billion to support the internship programme in the 2026/2027 financial year, one of the largest investments in healthcare workforce development in the country’s history.
Duale said the programme reflects collaboration between the Ministry of Health, county governments, professional regulatory councils, unions, training institutions and development partners to improve transparency, accountability and confidence in the internship process.
The Health CS noted that the interns will play a critical role in implementing key health reforms, including the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan, the Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative, the Social Health Authority (SHA), health service digitisation and quality-of-care improvement programmes.
Representing about 23 pc of Kenya’s healthcare workforce, the interns were urged to uphold professionalism, compassion and integrity while delivering services and helping restore public confidence in the country’s health system.
Duale also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the health workforce through the transition of Universal Health Coverage staff to permanent and pensionable terms. He said the move is backed by a Sh8.9 billion allocation in the current budget.
In addition, the government plans to recruit 5,000 midwives and nurses under the EWENE initiative to help reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
“The Ministry remains committed to sustained engagement with all stakeholders and to maintaining a transparent, accountable and credible internship programme that continues to build the future of healthcare in Kenya,” Duale said.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, chief executives and chairpersons of health sector boards and councils, representatives of health workers’ unions and other senior ministry officials.
