Nairobi, April 28 -- Recent public remarks questioning whether nurses can lead major health institutions have sparked justified outrage across Kenya's healthcare sector. Yet beyond the indignation lies a more uncomfortable question: if nurses form the backbone of care delivery, why are so few occupying top leadership roles?

This is not a question of capability. It is a question of preparation, perception, and deliberate investment in leadership development especially through structured management and leadership skills development.

Kenya's history offers compelling evidence that nurses can and do lead at the highest levels. Take Dr Mary Nandili, Director of Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health, who oversees national nursing policy ...