Duale presides over posting of 6,360 healthcare interns in Ksh9B budget
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 29, 2026Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Monday officially oversaw the posting of the 2026/27 cohort of health interns, announcing that the government has allocated Ksh9.365 billion to finance the internship programme in the new financial year.
Speaking during the posting exercise at Afya House in Nairobi on June 29, 2026, Duale said the funding demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system by supporting the training and deployment of newly qualified health professionals.
“The government has, therefore, committed Ksh9.365 billion in the 2026/27 financial year to finance this internship programme,” Duale said.
The Health CS noted that the internship programme is a critical investment in the country’s health sector, as it equips graduates with practical experience while enhancing service delivery in public health facilities across the country.
Duale’s message to interns
Addressing the interns, Duale congratulated them on reaching an important milestone in their professional journey, reminding them that they are joining the health service at a defining moment in Kenya’s history.
“To our interns, I want to once again say congratulations on reaching this very important milestone in your career. You join the health service at a defining moment in our Kenyan history. The future of Kenya’s healthcare system rests in your hands. We must serve with courage, we must learn with humility, we must innovate without fear, and we must uphold the values of professionalism and human integrity,” he said.
Duale also announced that the government will deploy a total of 6,360 health interns during the 2026/27 internship cycle. The cohort comprises 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.
He expressed confidence that the deployment of the interns will strengthen healthcare delivery across the country while helping build a skilled and motivated workforce capable of meeting Kenya’s growing healthcare needs. The internship programme, he added, remains a key pillar of the government’s efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and advance ongoing reforms in the health sector.