The Ministry of Health has announced plans to recall nearly 700 medical interns from Kiambu County due to the ongoing doctors’ strike, which has left the young professionals stranded for months.
A total of 697 interns, comprising medical officers, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, and clinical officers, were posted to Kiambu on July 1 as part of the national 2025/2026 internship cohort. Unlike their colleagues in other counties who have already begun training, the group in Kiambu has been unable to start their programmes because of the protracted industrial action.
In a formal communication to the county leadership, the Ministry indicated that unless the dispute is resolved, all interns will be recalled by September 15 and redistributed to other hospitals across the country. The move, according to the ministry, is intended to safeguard the interns’ training, ensure they progress within the required timelines, and maintain uniformity with peers posted elsewhere.
The situation in Kiambu has been further complicated by the withdrawal of students and doctor-lecturers from Kenyatta University. The institution has since shifted its partnership to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), ensuring that its medical students are not left behind. Other universities, including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Mount Kenya University (MKU), are also exploring alternative training facilities to shield their students from the disruption.
The prolonged stalemate has sparked concern over the impact on both the interns’ professional development and healthcare service delivery in the county. Without resolution, residents risk losing critical medical services that the interns would have provided, especially in already understaffed facilities.
The Ministry has urged the Kiambu County Government to urgently address the dispute to prevent further escalation and disruption. Stakeholders warn that if the interns are withdrawn, the gap in service provision will worsen, straining an already fragile health system and undermining public confidence in local healthcare delivery.
The looming recall highlights broader challenges in Kenya’s healthcare sector, where industrial disputes often disrupt training and service provision. For the young professionals affected, the situation threatens to delay their careers and create inconsistencies in national internship timelines. The Ministry’s firm stance signals its determination to protect the interests of interns and ensure uninterrupted progression in their professional journey.
