The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has closed 511 private health facilities and downgraded another 267 across Mandera, Nairobi, and Wajir counties as part of a countrywide inspection aimed at ensuring compliance with healthcare standards. Thirty-one individuals have also been arrested in connection with various violations.
The phased inspection, carried out in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, is part of KMPDC’s statutory mandate to regulate and monitor health facilities for the safety and well-being of patients.
According to the data released by KMPDC:
| County | Inspected Health Facilities | Closed | Downgraded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandera | 269 | 58 | 60 |
| Nairobi | 1,017 | 376 | 23 |
| Wajir | 239 | 77 | 184 |
| Total | 1,525 | 511 | 267 |
Many of the facilities that were shut down were found to be operating without valid licences, lacked critical infrastructure such as pharmacies, maternity wings, and laboratories, or had poor sanitation and environmental standards. Issues cited included inadequate water supply, substandard waste disposal systems, and generally unhygienic conditions.
Particularly alarming was the discovery of unregistered medical personnel providing treatment in some facilities. KMPDC flagged this as a severe threat to patient safety and a factor that compromises the credibility of the healthcare system.
The downgraded facilities were found to be offering fewer services than they were originally registered for. In many cases, they were missing essential equipment, had nonfunctional medical tools, or lacked key medical personnel including doctors, clinical officers, nurses, lab technicians, and pharmacists. These deficiencies rendered them incapable of delivering services safely or effectively.
KMPDC Chief Executive Officer Dr David G. Kariuki stated that the inspection will continue across the country. He urged all health facilities to remain open during their stated hours of operation. Facilities found to be closed without valid reason during inspection hours will be considered inactive and subsequently removed from the official register.
“The integrity of healthcare services must be preserved at all costs. Our ongoing inspections are part of a broader commitment to ensure that all health facilities meet the minimum standards required for safe and effective care,” said Dr Kariuki.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to uphold quality in healthcare provision and ensure that all Kenyans have access to safe and reliable medical services.