HEALTH CS ADEN DUALE SUSPENDS NURSING COUNCIL CEO OVER ILLEGAL INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS

The government has suspended the Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) over an alleged breach of regulations involving the illegal placement of nursing students.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 21 2025, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, confirmed the suspension of Lister Onsongo after it was revealed that at least 42 Bachelor of Science (BSc) nursing students had been listed for internship unlawfully.
"The Ministry of Health (MoH) has uncovered a serious breach of regulations involving the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and Ten Public and Private Universities, which unlawfully submitted 42 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Nursing students for internship before the completion of their academic programmes," the statement read in part.
According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), the actions were in violation of the provisions of the Nursing Council Act and the guidelines set out by the Public Service Commission Act.
Due to these irregularities, Onsongo has been suspended pending the outcome of an internal audit by the Ministry. The Ministry has also revoked the internship letters issued to the 42 affected students who came from 10 private and public universities.
Consequently, the 42 students have been urged to vacate their duty stations with immediate effect.