- Health CS Aden Duale revealed additional flaws in the controversy surrounding the 2025/2026 nursing internship assignments
- More than 300 students were identified as ineligible, while some who satisfied the requirements were incorrectly excluded.
- The government now aims to fix the chaos while inquiries into the disputed appointments remain ongoing.
The journalist Harry Ivan Mboto from zaia news.co.ke has more than three years of experience covering politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.
A significant transformation is taking place in Kenya's nursing internship program as new discrepancies are being revealed.
On Wednesday, July 30, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale provided a new report on the ongoing probe into the assignment of nursing trainees, after a controversy that had already shaken the ministry.
Duale stated that among the 2,089 Bachelor of Science in Nursing trainees planned for the 2025/2026 group, 306 individuals were identified as having been assigned without fulfilling the necessary criteria.
These announcements were quickly withdrawn, along with the 42 previously canceled on July 21.
The CS referred to both private and public universities that were involved in sending unqualified students to hospitals for training, even though there were explicit rules outlined in the Nursing Council Act and the Public Service Commission's regulations.
Which educational institutions sent inadequately trained nurses to medical facilities?
As per the ministry, the affected numbers belong to the following universities:
| Name of university | Number | Revoked |
| Baraton University | 92 | 2 |
| Catholic University | 6 | |
| Daystar University | 27 | 7 |
| Egerton University | 2 | |
| Embu University | 1 | |
| Karatina University | 1 | |
| Kenyatta University | 22 | |
| Kirinyaga University | 46 | |
| Kisii University | 22 | |
| Maasai Mara University | 2 | |
| Masinde Muliro University | 1 | 1 |
| Methodist University | 14 | 3 |
| Meru University of Science and Technology | 38 | |
| Mount Kenya University | 2 | 1 |
| Pwani University | 48 | |
| South Eastern Kenya University | 6 | |
| UMMA University | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 306 | 42 |
Nursing trainees are required to pick up their offer letters in person
In an unexpected development, the Ministry also found that an extra 316 qualified students had been incorrectly left off the internship list.
Duale stated that these students, who had met all the required conditions, would receive offer letters in person.
The pre-interns impacted were instructed to pick up their official letters on Friday, August 1, starting at 7 am at the Ministry of Health headquarters, Afya House, in Nairobi. Every student must show a valid national ID to verify their identity throughout the procedure.
"The department is dedicated to ensuring fairness, openness, and honesty in internship assignments. He expressed gratitude to all involved parties for their patience and confidence in the government's initiative to improve the system," he stated.
What led to the suspension of Nursing Council CEO Lister Onsongo?
In the meantime, the scandal has already resulted in a prominent victim. Lister Onsongo, the head of the Nursing Council of Kenya, was put on hold due to his failure to stop the improper placements.
Onsongo faced allegations of failing to fulfill her regulatory responsibilities, resulting in a scenario that undermined both training standards and patient safety.
Ann Mukuna, head of standards and compliance at the Ministry, has been named acting CEO while the investigations are ongoing.
Which institutions are providing non-credited degrees?
In March, the University Education Commission (CUE) published a list of 15 institutions providing degrees that are not officially recognized.
The committee mentioned that just 79 universities were authorized to function in Kenya, and recommended that students check the accreditation of their chosen schools prior to enrollment.
Of the 79 recognized institutions, 38 are public universities, 28 are privately run, three are specialized public universities, five are public university affiliated colleges, two are accredited private university affiliated colleges, and six are entities with temporary authorization letters.
The 15 institutions that had not yet received accreditation from CUE to grant degrees by March 2025 were:
- Grace Life Bible College – Vihiga
- Africa Theological Seminary – Kitale
- Theophilus Theological College – Kiambu
- Northwestern Christian University – Kakamega
- Logos University – Kakamega
- Areas Outside Ministry Bible College – Thika
- Baraton College – Kapsabet
- Word of Faith Bible College – Vihiga
- Africa Talent University – Kisumu
- Kenya Anglican University - Kanyuambora - Embu
- The East African University Bradgate International University – Nyeri
- Al-Munawwarah College – Mombasa
- Eldoret Bible College – Uasin Gishu
- Breakthrough Bible College – Nairobi
- University of Harvest Land – Kisumu
The committee also issued a list of institutions authorized to provide Law degrees, Master's programs, and Diplomas.
They feature institutions such as the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mount Kenya University, Catholic University, and Daystar University, along with other similar establishments.
Masolo Mabonga, Head of Department for Current Affairs and Politics, revised this article to include information about the universities providing non-credited degree programs.