Clinical Officers Council Welcomes Successful Deployment of the 2026 Internship Cohort

Nairobi, July 3, 2026 – The Clinical Officers Council (COC) officially acknowledges and welcomes the successful conclusion of the 2026 internship deployment process. The Council commends the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, for his commitment to strengthening Kenya’s healthcare workforce by overseeing the prompt and organized placement of this essential cohort. This deployment marks a critical milestone in the Council's mandate to ensure that every Clinical Officer undergoes rigorous, standardized practical training before full licensure. By integrating these professionals into various accredited health facilities nationwide, the Ministry of Health is taking a decisive step toward closing critical staffing gaps and enhancing the delivery of universal health coverage.

The 2026 cycle sees a total of 2,801 Clinical Officer interns transitioning into the clinical environment, consisting of 705 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Clinical Officer interns and 2,096 Diploma Clinical Officer interns. These interns officially commenced their one-year mandatory rotations on July 1, 2026, a period that is vital for bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and field practice to ensure that practitioners are prepared to handle the complexities of patient care within the Kenyan context. The Council remains dedicated to providing ongoing oversight throughout this internship year, and through the implementation of advanced longitudinal tracking systems, we aim to ensure that every intern meets the core competency benchmarks required for the Clinical Officer profession.

Reflecting on this achievement, the Chief Executive Officer of the Clinical Officers Council, Mr. Ibrahim Wako, stated, "This deployment is a testament to our collective resolve to professionalize and stabilize the healthcare workforce at the primary care level. We are confident that this cohort will uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and clinical excellence as they serve in various parts of the country, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide them with the necessary regulatory support throughout their internship journey."

Regarding the transition process, all interns are advised that they will be able to download their internship licenses directly from the Council’s portal: portal.clinicalofficerscouncil.org starting this coming Monday, 6th July 2026. Furthermore, please be informed that all necessary administrative documentation, including logbooks and the code of conduct, is currently being dispatched to the respective internship centers to ensure they are available for your commencement of duty. The deployment of these 2,801 professionals is a significant boost to our frontline services and a testament to the Ministry's prioritization of human resources for health. The Council thanks the Ministry of Health for its support and remains committed to assisting these interns as they embark on their journey to becoming the next generation of healthcare leaders. We encourage all stakeholders, including County Health Departments and facility supervisors, to provide the necessary mentorship and environment for these interns to excel. The Clinical Officers Council congratulates the incoming cohort on this professional milestone and looks forward to the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in their respective stations. For further updates regarding internship regulations and council requirements, please continue to monitor the official Clinical Officers Council website