42 nursing interns kicked out over placement irregularities
The Ministry of Health has revoked internship placements for 42 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Nursing students over what it termed as a serious breach of regulations.
In a press statement issued on Monday, July 21, 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that the affected students had been unlawfully submitted for internship by ten public and private universities before completing their academic programs—a move that contravenes the Nursing Council Act and Public Service Commission (PSC) guidelines.
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As a result, all internship letters issued to the 42 students have been cancelled with immediate effect, and the students have been instructed to vacate their duty stations.
“The Ministry of Health has uncovered a serious breach of regulations involving the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and ten public and private universities, which unlawfully submitted 42 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Nursing students for internship before the completion of their academic programs. This action is in direct contravention of the Nursing Council Act and the guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC),” Duale stated.
“Consequently, the Ministry has revoked all internship letters issued to the affected 42 students with immediate effect. These individuals have been immediately instructed to vacate their duty stations as investigations commence.”
NCK CEO suspended
The Ministry also announced the suspension of Dr. Lister Onsongo, CEO of the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), pending a comprehensive internal audit of the full 2025/2026 internship cohort comprising 2,098 BSc Nursing students.
Ann Mukuna, Director of Standards and Compliance, has been appointed to oversee operations at the Council in the interim.
“In line with this, the Ministry has suspended Dr. Lister Onsongo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing Council of Kenya, pending the outcome of a comprehensive internal audit of the full cohort of 2,098 BSc Nursing interns. Consequently. I have appointed Ms. Ann Mukuna, Director of Standards and Compliance, to take over the operations of the Council until further notice,” the statement read.
Investigations
Investigations are ongoing, with the ministry promising swift action to protect the rights of nursing graduates and maintain public trust in the healthcare system.
“The Ministry is committed to upholding the integrity of healthcare training and deployment. All individuals found culpable—whether at the Ministry of Health, the NCK, or within the leadership of the implicated universities—will be held fully accountable,” Duale assured.
“This matter is being treated with the utmost urgency to safeguard professional standards, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and protect the rights of nursing graduates and the public.”
