Nurses' Association Calls for Council Head's Suspension Due to Unlawful Internship Advertisements

Nurses' Association Calls for Council Head's Suspension Due to Unlawful Internship Advertisements

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Kenya has taken action against significant irregularities in the posting of nurse interns, involving the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and several universities. The MoH has revoked internship placements for 42 Bachelor of Science Nursing students who were unlawfully posted before completing their academic programs, in breach of the Nursing Council Act and Public Service Commission (PSC) guidelines.

This scandal came to light following an internal audit that exposed serious irregularities in the 2025/2026 internship cycle. Ten public and private universities were found to have made unauthorized submissions of student data, with the NCK failing to verify this data properly. As a result, the affected students were ordered to leave their internship stations immediately.

In response, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Adan Duale, suspended the NCK Chief Executive Officer, Lister Onsongo, pending a thorough internal audit of all 2,098 nursing interns registered under the BSc Nursing program. Ann Mukuna, the Director of Standards and Compliance, was appointed to oversee council operations during this period.

The MoH has committed to rectifying these irregularities with stringent measures to ensure professionalism and patient safety within the healthcare education system. They have promised full accountability for all implicated individuals across the Ministry, the NCK, and involved universities.

Seth Panyako, Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), strongly condemned the action of the NCK and called for action against those involved in the fraud. The KNUN supports the suspension of the NCK boss and has called for action against those involved in the fraud.

Meanwhile, the ministry has commenced an audit of all nurses posted, and nursing interns are being supervised by senior nurses and doctors during their internships. The ministry has also suspended Dr Lister Onsongo, the CEO of NCK, pending the outcome of an internal audit of the 2,098 BSc nursing interns.

Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale stated that the action by the council and universities is in direct contravention of the Nursing Council Act and guidelines approved by the PSC. He expressed that the matter is being treated with urgency to safeguard professional standards, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and protect the rights of nursing graduates and the public.

The ministry has revoked all internship letters issued to the affected 42 students with immediate effect, instructing them to vacate their duty stations as investigations commence. Initially, the council is expected to vet all nurses before clearing them for internship. All those responsible for the fraud should face the full force of the law, according to Panyako.

The MoH is conducting a comprehensive investigation and audit while suspending officials implicated in the irregularities, revoking unauthorized internship placements, and implementing reforms to restore integrity and fairness in nurse intern postings across Kenya.

1. The health sector in Kenya is under scrutiny due to the discovery of significant irregularities in the placement of nurse interns, involving the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and several universities.
2. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has taken a stand against the unlawful posting of 42 Bachelor of Science Nursing students before they completed their academic programs.
3. This scandal surfaced during an internal audit of the 2025/2026 internship cycle, which exposed numerous irregularities.
4. Ten public and private universities were found to have made unauthorized submissions of student data, with the NCK failing to verify these data appropriately.
5. As a result, the affected students were ordered to leave their internship stations promptly.
6. In response to this controversy, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Adan Duale, has suspended the NCK Chief Executive Officer, Lister Onsongo, pending a thorough internal audit.
7. Ann Mukuna, the Director of Standards and Compliance, was appointed to oversee council operations during this period.
8. The MoH aims to rectify these irregularities with stringent measures to maintain professionalism and patient safety within the healthcare education system.
9. Full accountability is promised for all implicated individuals across the Ministry, the NCK, and participating universities.
10. Seth Panyako, Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), strongly denounced the NCK's actions and called for justice against those involved in the fraud.
11. The KNUN stands behind the suspension of the NCK boss and demands action against those responsible for the fraud.
12. The MoH has initiated an audit of all nurses posted and nursing interns are being supervised during their internships by senior nurses and doctors.
13. Dr Lister Onsongo, the CEO of NCK, has been suspended pending the outcome of an internal audit of the 2,098 BSc nursing interns.
14. The health crisis is in direct opposition to the Nursing Council Act and guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
15. Adan Duale, the Health Cabinet Secretary, emphasized the urgency of the matter to safeguard professional standards, comply with statutory requirements, and protect the rights of nursing graduates and the public.
16. The MoH has revoked all internship letters issued to the affected 42 students with immediate effect, instructing them to vacate their duty stations as investigations commence.
17. Initially, the council plans to vet all nurses before clearing them for internship.
18. All those responsible for the fraud should face the full force of the law, according to Panyako.
19. The MoH is conducting a comprehensive investigation and audit while suspending officials implicated in the irregularities.
20. The ministry is also revoking unauthorized internship placements and implementing reforms to restore integrity and fairness in nurse intern postings across Kenya.
21. These irregularities in the healthcare sector underscore the importance of upholding professional standards and maintaining patient safety.
22. The public can have faith in the MoH's commitment to addressing these issues and ensuring a secure, fair, and credible nurse intern posting process.
23. It is crucial for all parties involved – including universities, the NCK, and the MoH – to heed the lesson and work towards restoring the trust of Kenya's nursing graduates and the public.
24. Furthermore, the MoH's actions serve as a reminder that the business of education should prioritize the interests of students and adhere to established regulations.
25. The science community can learn from this situation, ensuring that research, development, and implementation of new technologies are aligned with ethical principles.
26. Workplace wellness becomes essential for reducing the impact of medical conditions and chronic diseases on employees and increasing productivity.
27. Emphasizing therapies and treatments to address respiratory conditions, digestive health, eye health, hearing, and skin conditions is integral to maintaining overall health and well-being.
28. In the realm of mental health, fortifying support systems and promoting awareness about mental illness helps break the stigma surrounding it.
29. The healthcare industry is responsive to these concerns, investing in research and development to create innovative solutions in cardiovascular health, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
30. As industry leaders, it is essential to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the business, from leadership positions to hiring practices.
31. The integration of technology, such as wearables, smart home devices, and data and cloud computing, plays a crucial role in improving healthcare delivery, diagnostics, and patient outcomes.

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