The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has welcomed the posting of 6,360 healthcare interns for the 2026/2027 internship cycle.
In a statement, KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah described the development as a major milestone in efforts to streamline internship placement and guarantee a timely transition into service.
He said the confirmation by the Ministry of Health marks progress after years of concerns over delayed postings and uncertainty that had affected internship programmes across the health sector.
According to the ministry, the interns are expected to begin service on July 1, 2026, with pre-interns invited to collect their offer letters during an official flag-off ceremony scheduled for June 29.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform Healthcare Professional Pre-Interns, stakeholders, and the general public that preparations for the deployment of the 2026/2027 Internship Cohort have been finalised,” the ministry had earlier announced.
KMPDU said the development reflects gains made through sustained advocacy and engagement aimed at protecting the rights and welfare of healthcare workers entering the profession.
“There was a time when young doctors had to take to the streets simply to demand internship postings and fight for salaries already guaranteed under our collective bargaining agreement,” Atellah said.
He noted that previous struggles over intern placement and remuneration had become a defining issue within the profession and had prompted negotiations between doctors’ representatives and government institutions.
According to the union, the confirmation of internship placements for the new cohort signals an effort to establish continuity in training and reduce disruption for healthcare graduates awaiting deployment.
“The struggles of 2024 tested our resolve, but they also proved the power of unity and collective action,” Atellah said.
He added that the latest posting should be viewed not merely as an administrative process but as a product of advocacy and organised engagement.
“This is more than an administrative milestone. It is the result of relentless advocacy, collective bargaining, and the unwavering solidarity of doctors who refused to accept injustice as the norm,” he observed.
The internship process, KMPDU said, had historically been characterised by delays and uncertainty, affecting both graduates and service delivery in health facilities.
The union argued that ensuring timely deployment and salary processing would improve predictability for interns beginning mandatory clinical training.
Atellah credited healthcare workers and union members for maintaining pressure on issues affecting internship placement.
“This victory belongs to every doctor who marched, every leader who negotiated, and every member who stood firm in defending the rights and dignity of our profession,” he said.
The union also welcomed the incoming interns and encouraged them as they prepare to begin service in hospitals and health facilities across the country.
“To the incoming 2026/2027 interns, congratulations and welcome to service. May you begin your journey knowing that your predecessors stood together to make this path smoother for you,” Atellah said.
KMPDU expressed hope that the latest internship intake would mark the beginning of a more predictable and efficient internship process and contribute to strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce.
