Cancelled placements: Nurse interns demand reinstatement
By Lavender Kusimba, August 6, 2025More than 300 nurse interns protested outside the Ministry of Health headquarters in Nairobi on August 5, 2025, demanding immediate reinstatement after their internship placements were abruptly cancelled.
Chanting slogans such as “Reinstate nursing interns now!” and “Serve justice to us!” the protesters condemned what they described as unfair treatment by the ministry.
The cancellation of their placements, they argued, has disrupted their career paths despite having met all necessary academic and clinical requirements.
The ministry did not respond to requests for comment. But in a previous statement, Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale defended the decision, stating that only graduates who had completed their coursework would be eligible for internships.
Duale also promised to streamline the internship process using a digital platform to curb corruption and favouritism that have plagued previous internship postings.
“Graduation is not a requirement for internship,” shouted one protester, addressing fellow interns and passersby outside Afya House.
“We’ve completed our coursework and passed our exams. This move is unjust.”
The ministry recently revoked internship placements for 306 interns, claiming the affected students had not yet graduated officially.
The interns, however, argue that graduations are ceremonial and not tied to academic completion.
“Rules are not implemented overnight. You don’t cancel internships after we’ve already reported, worked, and relocated,” said another intern, visibly distressed.
“We demand transparency and accountability.”
Financial commitments
The interns interviewed by People Daily claimed they had begun their hospital postings and made personal financial commitments, including paying rent for apartments near their assigned facilities.
The protest follows rising tensions in the health sector, with the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives threatening a nationwide strike over unmet demands.
These include fair treatment of Universal Health Coverage contract nurses and proper implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The protesting interns accused some top Ministry of Health officials of interfering with their placements to favour their communities.
As the standoff continues, the interns have vowed to continue camping outside Afya House until they are reinstated and their concerns are addressed.