Are you a medical student in Kenya? Do you want to know how much you can earn during your internship? Worry no more; this article will explain everything you need to know.
Medical officers, doctors, nurses, clinical officers, pharmacists, etc., play an essential role in our society. They are the guardians who ensure that we remain cared for by providing us with treatment and care while in the hospitals. The journey of becoming a trained medical personnel in Kenya requires many years of patience, dedication, and hard work. And so when one completes their studies, they expect to be also compensated well. But is this the case for them in Kenya?
What is a Medical Internship?
Medical internships are mandatory for all medical students in Kenya before they are formally employed at various health centers. They last up to 12 months, plus one extra month, which is a paid leave month, bringing the total internship duration for medical students in Kenya up to 13 months.
Medical interns are made up of the following groups:
- Medical Officer Intern
- Pharmacist Intern
- Dental Officer Intern
- Nursing Officer Intern
- Clinical Officer Intern
During the internship period, all medical students work under the strict supervision of their senior doctors. The internship period is meant to allow them to put their knowledge and skills to use so that they can become competent medical practitioners immediately after the duration.
How much are medical interns paid in Kenya?
So, how much do medical interns in Kenya earn? Historically, medical interns in Kenya earned a monthly stipend of up to Ksh206,000 as guided by the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, beginning in 2024, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) implemented a directive to significantly reduce the intern stipend, setting new maximums as low as Ksh70,000 for medical officer interns and even lower for other cadres, following a High Court ruling in October 2024. This led to national strikes and lengthy negotiations between the Ministry of Health, SRC, and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
After months of standoff, further negotiations in 2025 resulted in the Ministry of Health confirming a revised salary structure for medical officer interns:
- Basic monthly salary: Ksh46,120 (as outlined in posting letters)
- Total monthly pay with allowances: approximately Ksh208,000
Below is a table of Medical intern’s salaries in Kenya as of 2025:
| Internship Cadre | Min (Ksh) | Max (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Officer Intern | 47,000 | 70,000 |
| Pharmacist Intern | 47,000 | 70,000 |
| Dental Officer Intern | 47,000 | 70,000 |
| Nursing Officer Intern (Degree) | 35,000 | 50,000 |
| Clinical Officer (BSc) Intern | 35,000 | 50,000 |
| Nursing Officer (Diploma Holders) Intern | 27,000 | 35,000 |
| Clinical Officer (Diploma) Intern | 27,000 | 35,000 |
Note
For medical officer interns, some batches receive higher pay consistent with the 2017 CBA (Ksh206,000+) due to political and union negotiations, especially those posted from July 2025. All others, especially non-doctor cadres, remain on the current SRC stipend.
From the table above, the highest-paid medical interns in Kenya are Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) interns, who may earn a minimum of Ksh47,000 to a maximum of Ksh70,000, but up to Ksh206,000 in some government postings. Pharmacists’ and dental officer interns with bachelor’s degrees fall under this same stipend bracket. Nursing officers with a diploma certificate earn the lowest, up to a maximum of Ksh35,000.
FAQ
How long is a medical internship in Kenya?
Medical internships in Kenya last for 12 Months and 1 more month as paid leave. Duration of the internship period: the interns are typically involved in rotations as follows:
Medical Internship Rotations in Kenya
- Internal Medicine (including Dermatology): 11 weeks
- Surgery (including ENT and Orthopaedics): 11 weeks
- Pediatrics and Child Health: 11 weeks
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 11 weeks
- Psychiatry and Community Health: 8 weeks
Dental Internship Rotations in Kenya
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: 11 weeks
- Prosthetics and Conservative Dentistry: 11 weeks
- Periodontology: 11 weeks
- Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics: 11 weeks
- Community Dentistry: 8 weeks
What is the stipend for medical interns?
The Maximum Medical interns earn in Kenya is Ksh 70,000, and the lowest is Ksh 27,000
Are intern nurses paid in Kenya?
Yes, nurse interns are paid in Kenya, with those having bachelors earning from Ksh 35,000 to Ksh 50,000. On the other hand, diploma nurse interns earn from Ksh 27,000 to Ksh 35,000
Conclusion
The medical field’s salaries in Kenya have evolved amid protracted negotiations between KMPDU and the government, especially following the 56-day strike that started March 6, 2024. For 2025, medical intern doctors in Kenya can receive a salary ranging from a minimum of Ksh27,000 (for diploma holders in clinical or nursing branches) to a maximum of Ksh206,000 (for some batches of medical officer interns), with official SRC scales still at a maximum of Ksh70,000 for most health interns.
