The Ministry of Health just reinstated the Directorate of Nurses — a move that changes the leadership landscape for every nurse in Kenya. Meanwhile, NCK has released the February 2026 results, wrapped up the May sitting, and there is a government-backed awards scheme you should know about. Here is everything that happened this month, verified and sourced.
There is one change in this update that affects your career trajectory more than exam results — and most nursing graduates have not heard about it yet. Keep reading.
Last verified: 25 June 2026. Always confirm current information at nckenya.com.
Directorate of Nurses Reinstated by the Ministry of Health
During the International Nurses and Midwives Day celebrations in Nairobi in May 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the reinstatement of the Directorate of Nurses. According to the Ministry of Health, the absence of this directorate had long hampered the profession, and its restoration is a constitutional step to improve leadership, management, and empowerment of nurses in Kenya.
This is significant because nurses make up approximately 58% of Kenya's health workforce, according to the Ministry of Health. Having a dedicated directorate means nurses will have direct representation at the policy-making level — influencing staffing ratios, career progression frameworks, and working conditions.
For nursing students and new graduates: this is the institutional change that creates the environment for better internship placements, improved career pathways, and stronger professional advocacy. It is worth watching closely.
Start preparing for the NCK exam that opens these doors — practise free on NurseFiti →
Nurse of the Year Awards (NOYA) Launched
Alongside the Directorate reinstatement, the Ministry of Health launched the Nurses and Midwives Recognition and Awards Scheme, officially called the Nurse of the Year Awards (NOYA). The scheme was announced during International Nurses Week (6–12 May 2026) under the theme "Our Nurses, Our Future — Empowered Nurses Save Lives."
According to The Star, the NOYA scheme is designed to celebrate excellence, promote professionalism, and honour the dedication and leadership of nurses and midwives who serve as the backbone of Kenya's healthcare system.
For current students: this is the kind of professional recognition framework that adds value to your licence. Pass the NCK exam, get licensed, practise with excellence — and this scheme creates a pathway for national recognition.
February 2026 NCK Licensure Exam Results
The NCK released the February 2026 Online Licensure Examination results. According to The Kenya Times, candidates were directed to the NCK Online Services Portal (OSP) to access their results.
If you passed: Apply for your practising licence within 30 days at osp.nckenya.go.ke. Delays complicate the process.
If you did not pass: You are eligible to resit at the next available sitting. Before you register again, take an honest diagnostic of your weak areas. NCK reports that a significant proportion of first-attempt candidates do not pass — the distinguishing factor is structured preparation, not extra hours of casual reading.
NurseFiti's mock exam replicates the DigiProctor interface exactly. Try a mock exam →
May 2026 Exams Concluded — August Is Next
The May 2026 series of national licensure examinations has officially concluded. Results are expected within the standard NCK turnaround window. Keep checking osp.nckenya.go.ke.
The next sitting is the August 2026 series — approximately 6–8 weeks away. NCK does not accommodate late registration. Once the deadline passes, you wait for the next cycle, which means 4–6 months lost.
If you are preparing now, here is what matters most in the next 6 weeks:
- 1Run a diagnostic to identify your weakest units
- 2Focus 70% of study time on weak areas, not comfort zones
- 3Take at least 3 full mock exams under timed conditions
- 4Review every incorrect answer with the rationale — understand why, not just what
- 5Use spaced repetition flashcards for high-yield pharmacology and drug calculations
See our 8-week NCK prep plan for a week-by-week breakdown.
Test Yourself: Sample NCK Question
Here is the type of question you will face on the NCK exam. Try it — select your answer and submit to see the correct answer with a full rationale, exactly as NurseFiti users experience it:
A 28-year-old female patient presents with a blood pressure of 160/100 mmHg at 34 weeks gestation. She complains of a severe headache and blurred vision. Which of the following is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?
Want access to thousands more questions like this, with AI-powered explanations? Create your free NurseFiti account →
NCK Warning on Unaccredited Colleges Remains Active
The NCK's formal warning regarding Northlands International Medical Training College (NIMTC) remains in effect. The Council stated in April 2026 that NIMTC is offering nursing courses without approval, and certificates from this institution will not be recognised for licensure.
Verify your institution's accreditation directly at nckenya.com. Do not rely on verbal assurances from college administrators.
For the full breakdown of this warning and how to verify any institution, see our detailed coverage of the NCK unaccredited college alert.
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> Share this: "Big news — the Directorate of Nurses has been reinstated by the Ministry of Health, plus NCK Feb results are out and NOYA awards launched. Full breakdown here: nursefiti.co.ke/blog/nck-june-2026-update"
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📎Sources & References
- Ministry of Health Kenya — Reinstatement of the Directorate of Nurses announcement during International Nurses and Midwives Day celebrations, May 2026. health.go.ke
- The Star — "Government launches Nurse of the Year Awards (NOYA) during International Nurses Week", May 2026. the-star.co.ke
- The Kenya Times — "NCK February 2026 Licensure Exam Results Released", April 2026. thekenyatimes.com
- NCK Online Services Portal (OSP) — Official portal for exam results and licence applications. osp.nckenya.go.ke
- Nursing Council of Kenya — Official website for accreditation verification and exam information. nckenya.com
- Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale — Public address on the reinstatement of the Directorate of Nurses (as reported by multiple outlets, May 2026).
Always verify current exam information and institutional accreditation directly at nckenya.com.
