A view shows patients' beds arranged inside an hospital in Kenya. Photo/Reuters
By Daisy Okiring
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has launched one of the largest crackdowns on health facilities in recent years, closing 544 facilities and revoking licenses for 454 hospitals across Kenya.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, August 29, KMPDC announced that the targeted facilities had been operating without proper registration or valid licenses, directly violating provisions of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act (CAP 253). The regulator noted that some hospitals had been downgraded while others were completely shut down for endangering public safety.
Reasons for Closure
According to KMPDC, the affected hospitals and clinics were found guilty of multiple violations. Some had employed unregistered or unlicensed medical practitioners, while others were operating below the required health standards. Several facilities lacked essential infrastructure such as maternity wards, pharmacies, and laboratories. Sanitation and waste disposal issues were also highlighted, with the Council warning that these posed a direct risk to patient health.
“These measures are in line with the 2022 Inspections and Licensing Rules, which guide the regulation of health facilities and annual license renewals,” the Council stated.
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Inspection Findings
The crackdown followed an inspection of 288 health facilities, which revealed widespread non-compliance. Out of these, 158 facilities were suspended and 28 were downgraded, while 105 were cleared to continue operating.
KMPDC explained that these inspections are part of an ongoing regulatory framework aimed at ensuring all health institutions meet minimum safety and quality standards. Facilities that fail to comply risk suspension, downgrading, or permanent closure.
Counties Most Affected
The notice highlighted that Nairobi County had the highest number of closures, with more than 200 facilities shut down. Other counties that recorded significant closures included Homa Bay, Kisii, Wajir, and Mandera, raising concerns about access to healthcare services in both urban and rural areas.
The Council has since published the full list of all affected hospitals and clinics to guide the public in identifying safe and licensed health facilities.
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Public Health Concerns
Health experts warn that the presence of unregistered facilities and unqualified practitioners undermines public health and puts patients at risk. KMPDC emphasized that while the closures may inconvenience some communities in the short term, they are necessary to protect patients from unsafe practices and substandard care.
“This enforcement action is not just about regulation—it is about protecting lives,” a statement from the Council read.
What’s Next
The Ministry of Health has assured Kenyans that measures are underway to strengthen monitoring systems and ensure compliance in the health sector. KMPDC has encouraged patients to always verify that health facilities and practitioners are duly licensed before seeking treatment.
The Council further noted that more nationwide inspections will be conducted in the coming months, and any facilities found in breach of regulations will face similar consequences.
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