NAIROBI — Intern doctors in Kenya will finally report to hospitals from July 1, ending months of uncertainty that has left hundreds in limbo since late last year.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made the pledge on Thursday following a meeting with officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) at Afya House in Nairobi. The talks were aimed at reviewing progress on a long-stalled Return-to-Work Agreement.
“We want to commit to the leadership and the country that the balloting for internships has begun,” said Mr Duale. “The posting will be done on July 1. We’re also planning to expand the number of facilities that can accommodate interns, so none are left without placement.”
The delay had stirred frustration among medical graduates, many of whom have been waiting more than six months to begin their mandatory internship year — a key requirement before licensing.
According to Mr Duale, the Ministry of Health is coordinating with county governments and regulatory boards to ensure interns are deployed only to accredited hospitals.
But while the timeline for posting now appears clearer, the row over pay is far from resolved.
At the heart of the standoff is a pay dispute. KMPDU has held firm on a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2017, which sets intern salaries at KSh 206,000. The government, citing budget constraints, has instead proposed KSh 70,000 — a figure the union has flatly rejected.
Mr Duale acknowledged the gap and offered a cautious olive branch.
“I got some insights from the leadership into the importance of the Sh206,000,” he said. “I will consult with the National Treasury, the Cabinet, and even the President, and revert in two to three weeks.”
KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah welcomed the July start date but warned that the union would not ease pressure on the salary issue.
“We’ve heard promises before,” said Dr Atellah. “This was a promising conversation, but we will stay vigilant until every commitment is honoured.”
The doctors’ union has accused the government of reneging on previous agreements and failing to treat healthcare workers with the urgency they deserve. Meanwhile, hospitals across the country have reported increased workloads due to staffing shortages — a situation many health experts say could worsen if the issue drags on.
The latest talks come just weeks after junior doctors staged peaceful protests in Nairobi, demanding clarity on their status and fair treatment. With the July deadline now on record, attention is likely to shift towards whether the government will honour the pay deal — and if not, whether KMPDU will escalate industrial action.
The Ministry of Health did not indicate whether the interns’ delayed start would affect the length of their internship year.
For now, it’s a waiting game — but with a date finally set, hope is back on the table.
