The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has issued directives to foreign medical practitioners in the country.
In a notice published on MyGov in June 2025, KMPDC said that foreign practitioners are only permitted to practice at the location stated on their licence.
Additionally, the regulatory body added that health institutions must always notify the council before hiring any foreign practitioner, regardless of their existing licensure.
“Foreign practitioners should only practice in the location indicated on their licence. Health institutions should always inform KMPDC before engaging a foreign practitioner, regardless of their licensure status,” the notice reads in part.
In addition, KMPDC stated that all foreign practitioners, including postgraduate students, must register with the Council before undertaking any work or studies in Kenya for the purpose of licensing assessment and issuance.
“All foreign practitioners, including those undertaking postgraduate studies in the country, must register with KMPDC before engaging in work or studies for licensure assessment and issuance,” KMPDC directed.
Unlicenced health practitioners
KMPDC further issued a stern warning to anyone practising as a medical or dental practitioner without being duly registered and licensed by the Council, stating that such an action constitutes an offence and, upon conviction, carries a penalty of up to Ksh 5,000,000 in fines, up to five years imprisonment, or both.
“Any person practising as a medical or dental practitioner without being duly registered and licensed by KMPDC commits an offence. Upon conviction, they face a fine of up to Ksh 5,000,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both,” KMPDC stated.
It also warned that any person in charge of a health institution who employs or engages an unregistered or unlicensed medical practitioner, dentist, or community oral health practitioner commits an offence, and that upon conviction, they would face a fine of up to Ksh 10,000,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
“Any person in charge of a health institution who employs or engages an unregistered or unlicensed medical practitioner, dentist, or community oral health practitioner commits an offence. Upon conviction, they face a fine of up to Ksh 10,000,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both,” KMPDC added.
KMPDC further directed the heads of health facilities to report any unregistered or unlicensed practitioners working there to the Council immediately.
“Any unregistered or unlicensed practitioner currently working in your health facility must be reported to the Council immediately,” KMPDC directed.
