Nairobi, Kenya| In a resolute move to restore integrity and transparency to Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced sweeping reforms, including a crackdown on thousands of ghost workers and the reinstatement of 316 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates wrongfully excluded from internship placements.
The announcements, made during recent events in Uasin Gishu County and at Afya House in Nairobi, underscore the Ministry of Health’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and excellence in Kenya’s healthcare system.
Cracking Down on Ghost Workers in the UHC Program
Speaking in Uasin Gishu County, where he launched drug supplies and inaugurated a Medical Training College (MTC) in Burnt Forest, CS Duale revealed that a comprehensive vetting exercise is underway to root out ghost workers undermining the UHC program.
The exercise, set to conclude next week, aims to identify and eliminate fraudulent hires, including individuals falsely employed as nurses or irregularly recruited.
“Those who have been drawing salaries without legitimate qualifications will face the full force of the law,” Duale declared. “We will refer all cases of ghost workers to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for investigation, and those found culpable will be required to refund public funds.”
The vetting process is part of a broader strategy to ensure that only qualified healthcare professionals are integrated into the UHC framework. Upon completion, the Ministry plans to hire vetted staff on permanent terms, bolstering the workforce with skilled and committed personnel.
This decisive action signals a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and inefficiency, aiming to safeguard public resources and enhance the quality of healthcare delivery across Kenya.
Correcting Internship Irregularities: A Commitment to Fairness
In a parallel effort to uphold fairness in health workforce deployment, CS Duale presided over a flag-off ceremony at Afya House for 316 BScN graduates whose internship placements were reinstated following a Ministry-led audit. The audit was prompted by complaints about irregularities in the initial deployment of 6,484 interns on June 30, 2025.
The investigation uncovered significant discrepancies, including the erroneous posting of 42 individuals who had not completed their studies and 306 who had not graduated, while 339 eligible graduates, including the 316 now reinstated, were inexplicably excluded.
“We are here this morning to correct a wrong and fulfil a promise,” Duale said during the ceremony. “These 316 graduates met all requirements but were mistakenly left out. Today, we restore their rightful place in our health system.”
The Ministry has taken swift and decisive action to address the lapses, including:
- Suspension of the Nursing Council of Kenya’s CEO: Dr. Lister Onsongo has been suspended pending further investigations into the administrative failures that led to the irregularities.
- Revocation of Invalid Internship Offers: All 348 unqualified or non-graduated individuals have had their internship offers revoked.
- Immediate Reinstatement of Eligible Graduates: The 316 wrongfully excluded graduates have been posted to their internships, effective August 4, 2025.
Duale emphasized that the errors stemmed from administrative shortcomings, not the fault of the affected students.
“While the initial offers were made in good faith, a detailed audit revealed gaps in graduation and licensure verification,” he explained. “This situation arose from lapses that are being addressed internally. The students are not to blame.”
To mitigate the impact on the 306 interns whose offers were revoked, the Ministry has pledged to prioritize them in the next internship cycle once they meet all eligibility criteria. Duale also expressed regret for the disruption caused and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting all affected interns.
A Vision for a Robust and Transparent Health System
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health is implementing structural reforms to prevent future irregularities and enhance the efficiency of its internship program.
CS Duale announced plans to strengthen collaboration with the Nursing Council of Kenya and training institutions to ensure rigorous verification processes.
Additionally, the Ministry is developing a centralized digital internship management system to improve data accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in future postings.
“We are sealing loopholes, enhancing verification, and safeguarding the integrity of our health internship program,” Duale stated. “This is about building a healthcare system that Kenyans can trust—one that is fair, accountable, and driven by excellence.”
The reinstatement of the 316 BScN graduates marks a significant step toward rectifying past wrongs and restoring confidence in the Ministry’s processes.
Addressing the reinstated interns, Duale urged them to serve with dedication and professionalism: “To the 316 interns reporting on August 4—serve with humility, integrity, and patriotism. You are the future of this nation’s healthcare.”
Broader Implications for Kenya’s Healthcare Landscape
The Ministry’s actions reflect a broader commitment to transforming Kenya’s healthcare system under the UHC framework. By addressing ghost workers and internship irregularities, the government is taking concrete steps to ensure that public funds are used effectively and that only qualified professionals deliver critical healthcare services.
The introduction of a digital internship management system and enhanced collaboration with regulatory bodies like the Nursing Council of Kenya signal a forward-thinking approach to modernizing healthcare workforce deployment.
These reforms also align with Kenya’s broader health policy goals, including improving access to quality healthcare, strengthening the health workforce, and ensuring equitable opportunities for young professionals.
The launch of drug supplies and the new MTC in Burnt Forest further demonstrate the Ministry’s multifaceted approach to addressing healthcare challenges, from workforce development to resource allocation.
A Call to Action for Stakeholders
CS Duale’s announcements serve as a clarion call for all stakeholders in Kenya’s healthcare sector to prioritize accountability and excellence.
The referral of ghost worker cases to the EACC underscores the government’s determination to combat corruption, while the reinstatement of eligible interns highlights a commitment to fairness and opportunity for young healthcare professionals.
As the vetting exercise nears completion and the new digital systems come online, Kenyans can expect a more transparent and efficient healthcare system.
For the 316 reinstated interns, August 4, 2025, marks the beginning of a new chapter in their professional journey—one that carries the weight of public trust and the promise of a healthier nation.
What Next?
The Ministry of Health’s bold reforms under CS Aden Duale’s leadership are setting a new standard for accountability and transparency in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
By tackling ghost workers, correcting internship irregularities, and investing in systemic improvements, the Ministry is laying the foundation for a robust and equitable UHC program.
As these initiatives take shape, they promise to deliver lasting benefits for healthcare professionals and the millions of Kenyans who rely on the nation’s health system.
For more information on Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage program or internship opportunities, visit the Ministry of Health’s official website or contact Afya House.
Stay tuned for updates as the vetting exercise concludes and the Ministry continues its mission to transform healthcare in Kenya.
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