The Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), Dr. Lister Onsongo, has been suspended following revelations of irregular placement of nursing interns. The suspension was announced by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale, who cited serious breaches of regulatory protocol involving both public and private universities.
According to CS Duale, the Ministry of Health discovered that 10 universities had unlawfully submitted 42 students for internship placements before the students had completed their academic programs. This contravenes established professional and academic standards required before a nursing student can begin internship.
“In line with this, the Ministry has suspended Dr. Lister Onsongo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing Council of Kenya, pending the outcome of a comprehensive internal audit of the full cohort of 2,098 Bachelor of Science Nursing interns,” said Duale.
In the interim, Ms. Ann Mukuna, Director of Standards and Compliance at the Ministry, has been appointed to act as the CEO of the Council. Her mandate includes overseeing the operations of the NCK during the period of the audit and ensuring strict compliance with statutory guidelines.
CS Duale further announced that internship letters previously issued to the 42 affected students have been revoked with immediate effect. He emphasized that the Ministry is treating the matter with utmost urgency to uphold professional standards and protect both the public and the rights of nursing graduates.
“This matter is being treated with the utmost urgency to safeguard professional standards, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and protect the rights of nursing graduates and the public,” he noted.
The move has triggered debate within the medical and academic communities, with stakeholders urging the Ministry to conduct the audit swiftly and transparently. Questions are being raised about the accountability mechanisms within universities and regulatory bodies entrusted with overseeing professional training in the health sector.
The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that only fully qualified and vetted students are allowed into the internship program, which is a crucial step toward licensing and professional practice.
