Intern nurses protest after MOH cancels placements

Kenya National Union of Nurses Kakamega branch Secretary General Morris Bulunya instructs Clinical Officers interns outside Kakamega county referral hospital where medical services was parallelized following Doctors strike on December 7, 2020. [FILE/ Standard]

Over 300 nursing interns whose placements were recently revoked by the Ministry of Health have vowed to camp outside Afya House until they are reinstated, escalating a standoff that has drawn national attention to what they call a "gross injustice."

Speaking at the Ministry headquarters, Wabwile Khaemba, one of the affected interns, said the group will seek legal redress and hold round-the-clock demonstrations.

"We'll demonstrate and sleep here. After 5pm, we'll bring our mattresses and spend the night outside Afya House until the Cabinet Secretary reinstates us," he said.

"We're also pursuing legal options. We'll fight both in court and on the ground, we're energetic and jobless."

The 306 interns had their postings abruptly cancelled by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who claimed they had not officially graduated.

Khaemba disputed the claim, arguing that graduation is ceremonial and that all academic and clinical requirements had been met.

"Graduation is a two-hour event. What matters is that we've completed our studies and clinicals. Without internship, we can't be licensed. Without a license, we can't work," he explained.

The interns say they were vetted twice by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and officially posted to hospitals across the country.

"Some of us had already reported to work and paid rent. After three weeks of service, the CS suddenly cancels our placements," said Khaemb

He questioned the Ministry's sudden change of requirements.
"The posting circular listed 'original letter of completion' as a key document. Now they say it's not enough. Then why emphasize it in bold?"

The interns argue that any policy changes should not apply retroactively. "If there are new rules, apply them to future cohorts. Don't punish us after we've been vetted and posted," said Sheila Nyaboke.

Many interns say the revocation has caused serious financial and emotional distress.

"I'm from Bungoma and was posted to Gatundu. I paid rent and travelled, only to be told to go back. For what?" Khaemba asked.

CS Duale maintains that graduation is a mandatory requirement and alleged that some interns were posted irregularly through corrupt deals.

The most affected universities include Baraton (92), Kirinyaga (46), and Pwani (48). The interns have been replaced by 348 graduates.