diff --git a/roles/ensure-python/README.rst b/roles/ensure-python/README.rst
index efb74f48f..26c0cdc03 100644
--- a/roles/ensure-python/README.rst
+++ b/roles/ensure-python/README.rst
@@ -1,12 +1,9 @@
 Ensure specified python interpreter and development files are installed
 
-.. note:: This role is only available for Debian based platforms
-          currently.
-
 There are three ways to install the python interpreter:
 
 1. Using distribution packages: This is the default (``python_use_pyenv`` and
-   ``python_use_stow`` are both false``).
+   ``python_use_stow`` are both ``false``).
 
 2. Install using ``pyenv``.
 
diff --git a/roles/ensure-python/tasks/main.yaml b/roles/ensure-python/tasks/main.yaml
index fbcf4032e..b7b153a3b 100644
--- a/roles/ensure-python/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/roles/ensure-python/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -6,16 +6,27 @@
       - (python_version|string).split(".")[1]
   when: python_version is defined
 
-- name: Install specified version of python interpreter and development files
+- name: Install python using system packages
   when:
     - python_version is defined
-    - ansible_distribution == 'Debian' or ansible_distribution == 'Ubuntu'
     - not python_use_pyenv
     - not python_use_stow
-  package:
-    name: python{{ python_version }}-dev
-    state: present
-  become: yes
+  block:
+    - name: Install specified version of python interpreter and development files (DEB)
+      when:
+        - ansible_distribution == 'Debian' or ansible_distribution == 'Ubuntu'
+      package:
+        name: python{{ python_version }}-dev
+        state: present
+      become: yes
+
+    - name: Install specified version of python interpreter and development files (RPM)
+      when:
+        - ansible_distribution == 'CentOS' or ansible_distribution == 'RedHat'
+      package:
+        name: python{{ python_version | replace('.', '') }}-devel
+        state: present
+      become: yes
 
 - name: Install python using pyenv
   when: