NAIROBI- The Ministry of Health has deployed 6,784 healthcare interns under the 2026/2027 Internship Programme in a move aimed at strengthening Kenya’s health workforce and accelerating the delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The deployment, supported by a government allocation of KSh 9.316 billion in the 2026/2027 Financial Year, is expected to bolster healthcare service delivery across the country while advancing the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The new cohort includes 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.
According to the Ministry, the internship programme is the result of close collaboration between the Ministry of Health, county governments, professional regulatory councils, training institutions, professional associations, unions and development partners.
The partnership has enhanced transparency, accountability and efficiency in the placement process while ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare professionals across the country.
The interns will support the implementation of key national health priorities, including the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan, the Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative, the Social Health Authority (SHA), quality improvement programmes and the ongoing digitisation of health services.
Speaking during the deployment, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale urged the interns to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and compassion throughout their service.
He said the interns’ commitment would not only improve patient outcomes but also strengthen public confidence in Kenya’s healthcare system.
Duale reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s health workforce, noting that KSh 8.9 billion has been allocated in the current budget to facilitate the transition of Universal Health Coverage staff to permanent and pensionable terms following a directive by President William Ruto.
The Cabinet Secretary also announced plans to recruit 5,000 nurses and midwives under the EWENE initiative as part of efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
He further reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining structured engagement with stakeholders to build a stable, motivated and productive health workforce capable of responding to the country’s evolving healthcare needs.
Duale also commended professional regulatory councils, training institutions, internship coordinators and supervisors for ensuring the placement process complied with all legal, regulatory, policy and budgetary requirements, emphasizing that transparency and accountability remain central to building a resilient, responsive and sustainable health system for all Kenyans.
