Are you a medical student in Kenya? Do you want to know how much you can earn during our 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 better 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? Previous Medical interns in Kenya used to earn a monthly stipend of KES Ksh.206,000 as guided by the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, in 2024, the salary of medical interns in Kenya was significantly reduced to only KES 70,000 Maximum.
Pre-2024, intern medics in Kenya used to earn up to Ksh 206,000, which was reduced to Ksh 70,000 after a directive from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). This led to strikes from medical interns and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to dispute the decrease in stipends. Still, On October 31, 2024, the High Court upheld the SRC’s decision.
As per the new SRC directive, Pharmacists and dentist interns will earn from Ksh 47,000 to Ksh 70,000, while nursing officers earn 35,000 to Ksh 50,000. At the same time, Clinical officers will earn between Ksh 27,000 and Ksh 50,00 for both degree and diploma holders.
Below is a table of Medical interns salaries in Kenya as of 2024:
| Internship Cadre | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
From the table above, it is clear that the highest-paid medical interns in Kenya are the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBCHB), who earn a minimum of Ksh 47,000 and a maximum of Ksh 70,000. Pharmacists’ and Dental officers’ Bachelor options also fall under this same stipend bracket. Nursing officers with a Diploma certificate earn the lowest, up to a maximum of Ksh 30,000.
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
And there you have it. The medical field’s salaries in Kenya have been widely influenced by salary negations between the KMPDC and the government after the 56-day strike, which started on March 6th, 2024. From this, Medical intern doctors in Kenya earn a salary of a minimum of KES 27,000 to a maximum of KES 70,000.