Healthcare graduates have received a major boost after the Ministry of Health announced the deployment of 6,360 interns to health facilities across the country, ending weeks of anticipation ahead of the new internship cycle.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Friday said the 2026/2027 internship programme will officially begin on July 1, adding that all preparations for the deployment had been completed.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform healthcare professional pre-interns, stakeholders and the general public that preparations for the deployment of the 2026/2027 internship cohort have been finalized,” Duale said.
According to the ministry, the interns will serve in hospitals and other accredited healthcare facilities for 12 months as part of the mandatory training required before they are fully licensed to practise.
The deployment covers six professional cadres, with Diploma Clinical Officer interns forming the largest group at 2,096, followed by 2,000 Bachelor of Science Nursing Officer interns.
The list also includes 875 Medical Officer interns, 705 Bachelor of Science Clinical Officer interns, 615 Pharmacy Officer interns and 69 Dental Officer interns.
Duale said the internship programme remains a critical step in preparing healthcare professionals to deliver quality services while strengthening the country’s health workforce.
“This internship programme is a critical step in equipping pre-interns with the hands-on experience necessary to deliver quality and responsive healthcare services to the people of Kenya,” he said.
The ministry directed all successful pre-interns to collect their internship offer letters in person at Afya House on Monday, June 29, from 9 a.m. Applicants will be required to present a valid national identity card before receiving their letters.
The latest deployment is expected to provide much-needed reinforcement to hospitals across the country while giving newly qualified healthcare professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience before joining the workforce.
The announcement also brings certainty to thousands of graduates who have been waiting to know when and where they will begin their internships, with the July 1 reporting date now officially confirmed.
