Govt Statement On Revoking Nursing Internship Placement For 42 Students

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 programmes. This action is in direct contravention of the Nursing Council Act and the guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

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.

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 Standards and Compliance to take over the operations of the Council until further notice.

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.

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.

HON. ADEN DUALE, EGH
CABINET SECRETARY