Foreign Doctors Face Licensing Clampdown as Kenya Puts Local Medics First
The Kenyan government has announced a new policy that will prioritise locally trained health professionals in licensing and employment, placing foreign doctors and other practitioners behind Kenyan nationals educated within the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the move is aimed at safeguarding Kenya’s health workforce after years of heavy public investment in training doctors, nurses, clinical officers and specialists.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 7, Duale argued that it was only fair that Kenyans whose education has been funded by taxpayers are given the first opportunity to serve the country’s healthcare system.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to clarify that Kenya will prioritise the licensing and deployment of qualified Kenyan health practitioners before considering the routine licensing of foreign doctors and other health professionals,” Duale said.
He added that the approach aligns with international labour and health standards, noting that global institutions consistently encourage countries to protect and develop their local workforce.
“Global bodies such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) consistently affirm the principle that countries should prioritise employment opportunities for their own qualified health workforce as part of national workforce planning, sustainability, and health system resilience,” the statement read in part.
The ministry further stressed that no country has built a sustainable health system solely on foreign health workers, making it essential for Kenya to strengthen its own pool of professionals.
EAC Countries Exempted
However, Duale clarified that the directive will not apply to citizens from East African Community (EAC) member states, citing Kenya’s commitment to regional integration and existing mutual recognition agreements.
“Kenya remains committed to regional cooperation and honouring professional mobility frameworks within the East African Community,” the ministry noted.
Going forward, foreign health professionals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with priority given only in highly specialised or emerging fields where local expertise is still limited.
The ministry also insisted that any foreign engagement must contribute to knowledge transfer, skills development and the long-term strengthening of Kenya’s health system.
Patient Safety Emphasised
Duale assured the public that strict licensing procedures would remain in place to ensure patient safety.
“Licensing procedures will continue to ensure that only qualified and licensed practitioners are allowed to work, in order to safeguard patient safety and professional integrity,” he said.
The policy comes against the backdrop of growing concern over staffing shortages in public hospitals, despite Kenya having a significant number of registered doctors.
According to official figures, Kenya currently has approximately 14,829 registered doctors, yet only 3,930 are employed in the public sector across national and county health facilities.
This means nearly 62 per cent of doctors work in the private sector, including private hospitals and clinics, leaving public facilities under strain.
The ministry maintains that prioritising Kenyan-trained professionals is a critical step toward addressing staffing gaps, strengthening service delivery, and building a resilient national healthcare system.
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Foreign Doctors Face Licensing Clampdown as Kenya Puts Local Medics First