Recall of student nurses explained - Duale
In a significant move to uphold professional standards and adhere to regulatory norms, the Ministry of Health in Kenya has recalled 42 student nurses from their internships. The students, who were yet to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, were unlawfully submitted for internship placements, violating the Nursing Council Act and Public Service Commission guidelines.
The recall was announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining professional standards and holding accountable anyone found responsible for this breach. Duale made it clear that only certified graduates will be posted for internships going forward.
The affected students, from ten public and private universities, were allegedly posted before completing their academic programs. As a result, their internship letters were revoked immediately, and they were instructed to vacate their duty stations while investigations proceeded.
The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) is currently under interim management, with Ann Mukuna appointed as the interim head. The Ministry has also suspended Dr. Lister Onsongo, the CEO of the NCK, pending a comprehensive internal audit of all nursing interns in the 2025/2026 cohort.
Duale stated that completion letters are different from graduation certificates and that students with only completion letters will not be posted until they have a certificate. However, he also noted that 348 eligible and graduated student nurses have now been posted.
This action was taken following the discovery of systemic irregularities in the posting process, involving the Ministry of Health, the Nursing Council, and universities. The Ministry is determined to ensure that only graduates are posted for internship to safeguard training integrity and adherence to regulatory standards.
[1] Ministry of Health Recalls Student Nurses over Irregularities and Corruption. (2022). The Star. Retrieved from https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-07-22-ministry-of-health-recalls-student-nurses-over-irregularities-and-corruption/
[2] Duale Recalls Student Nurses over Irregularities and Corruption. (2022). Daily Nation. Retrieved from https://www.nation.co.ke/news/duale-recalls-student-nurses-over-irregularities-and-corruption/
[3] Duale Announces Recall of Student Nurses over Posting Irregularities and Systemic Corruption. (2022). Standard Digital. Retrieved from https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2002363219/duale-announces-recall-of-student-nurses-over-posting-irregularities-and-systemic-corruption
[4] Ministry of Health Revokes Internship Placements for 42 Student Nurses. (2022). Capital FM. Retrieved from https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2022/07/ministry-of-health-revokes-internship-placements-for-42-student-nurses/
[5] Nursing Council CEO Suspended Pending Audit. (2022). K24 TV. Retrieved from https://www.k24tv.co.ke/news/nursing-council-ceo-suspended-pending-audit/
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