PS Mary Muthoni spoke on Friday while presiding over the 31st graduation of The Nairobi Hospital’s Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences. Photo/CourtesyShe said Kenya and Germany are finalising a Memorandum of Understanding on the same.
Muthoni spoke on Friday while presiding over the 31st graduation of The Nairobi Hospital’s Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences, where 140 newly trained nurses and healthcare assistants received diplomas and certificates.
The talks between Kenya and Germany began early this year.
Kenya’s four main referral hospitals are expected to facilitate German language proficiency training and professional requirements, to ensure selected nurses meet the necessary linguistic and technical competency standards for employment in Germany’s healthcare sector.
“The ministry continues to invest in digital health and AI-driven platforms such as the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) to support decision-making and improve healthcare service delivery,” Muthoni said.
"We have also rolled out strategic initiatives to expand global opportunities, enhance leadership roles, improve welfare and support professional development for nurses. This includes formalising bilateral agreements with the UK and Germany for ethical international recruitment.”
She praised the cohort graduating from Nairobi Hospital for joining a profession she described as central to health systems worldwide.
“I celebrate the graduating class of 2025 for your resilience, dedication and commitment to service. You are stepping into a profession that is the backbone of every health system across the world,” Muthoni said.
The PS said the ministry is restructuring Kenya’s health workforce through expanded digital systems and new international partnerships aimed at creating opportunities for skilled nurses.
Kenya currently has about 81,500 practising nurses, according to the 2025 Nursing Council of Kenya registry, far below WHO recommendations and unevenly distributed across counties.
The college awarded diplomas to 89 registered nurses and higher diplomas to 32 nurses specialised in trauma and emergency, critical care, perioperative and oncology nursing. It also graduated 19 health care assistants, the college’s first HCA cohort under its newly accredited programme.
College principal Dr Margaret Sirima said the class reflects the institution’s deep-rooted tradition of excellence.
“Today’s graduation ceremony gives me great joy and pride because we are officially commissioning 140 future professionals who will be at the frontlines in the fight against diseases and advancing universal healthcare goals across the world,” she said.
Kenya Hospital Association board chairperson Dr Barcley Onyambu said the college is now preparing for its next phase of growth.
He said a board committee has been appointed, to guide the college’s transition into a specialised medical university operating as a standalone institution, reflecting the long-term vision for it to grow into a fully accredited university.
Congratulating graduates, Onyambu told them, “I celebrate you today and have no doubt that you are going to play a key role in advancing Kenya’s universal healthcare aspirations and sustainable healthcare on the global stage.”
Nairobi Hospital CEO Felix Osano said the institution’s growth and partnerships have strengthened its role in advanced care and training.
“The future professionals graduating today have overcome many hurdles in their professional training. We celebrate not only their academic achievements but their resilience and dedication to participating in transforming communities and driving sustainable development in healthcare,” he said.
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