CHAK commissioned 118 Medical Officer Interns into its network of faith-based internship hospitals during a ceremony held on July 25, 2026, at the CHAK Guest House and Conference Centre in Nairobi. Held under the theme “Called to Heal. Committed to Serve.”, the event marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the young doctors as they prepare to serve communities across Kenya with competence, compassion and integrity.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Chrisostim Barasa, CHAK General Secretary & CEO challenged the interns to view medicine not merely as a profession, but as a calling. He urged them to embrace lifelong learning, uphold the highest standards of ethics and accountability, and remain compassionate in every patient interaction.
Medicine is a science and also an art. Read, ask questions, master your procedures. Patients’ lives depend on you. The KMPDC logbook is not just paperwork; it’s actually a covenant that you have with your patients.”
Also addressing the interns, Dr. David Kariuki, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) CEO, reminded them that internship is the foundation upon which successful medical careers are built. Encouraging them to approach the year with confidence, he reassured them that every accomplished medical professional had once stood where they now stood.
“There is nothing that you cannot become. This is just the beginning… You made the right choice to get into medical school.”
The commissioning ceremony featured symbolic moments that reflected the significance of the occasion. Through lighting of candles, reciting the Medical Officer Intern Pledge, signing the CHAK Service Covenant and a prayer of commissioning from Rt. Rev. Prof. Zablon Thamburi, the interns publicly affirmed their commitment to ethical practice, compassionate care and faithful service. They also wrote letters to their future selves, encouraging reflection on the journey ahead.
Welcoming the interns into CHAK’s network of training hospitals, Dr Ann Mburu, PCEA Chogoria Hospital Internship Coordinator, encouraged them to value the professional relationships they were beginning to build, noting that these networks would shape their future careers.
“Recognize the network that you’re starting right now. It is the partnerships and the friendships that you make today which will shape your whole life.”
Representing Consolata Nkubu Hospital, Dr Kimani Ndung’u challenged the interns to remain curious and intentional in their learning.
“Be inquisitive, ask questions. You’re not a robot. You have to learn, so that when you leave internship, you’re able to make decisions well in your own career.”
The ceremony also left a lasting impression on the interns. Reflecting on the day’s events, one newly commissioned medical officer intern shared:
“Today’s commissioning reminded me that being a doctor is not just about treating disease. It is about serving patients with compassion, integrity and professionalism. I am looking forward to learning from experienced mentors while making a meaningful difference in the communities we will serve.”
Bringing together CHAK, KMPDC, training hospitals and university partners, the commissioning ceremony reaffirmed a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of doctors for service. As the 118 Medical Officer interns begin their placements across CHAK member hospitals, they carry with them more than appointment letters; they carry a calling to heal, a commitment to serve and the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of medical professionalism while extending hope and compassionate care to the communities they will serve.