NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 22 – A proposed law seeking to strengthen regulation of Kenya’s health sector has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders, with concerns raised over some of its provisions.
The views emerged during a public participation forum on the Medical Practitioners and Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2026, held by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health.
The Bill, sponsored by Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge and chaired through the process by Seme MP James Nyikal, seeks to regulate community oral health officers, dental technologists and optometrists.
It also proposes the registration of foreign medical practitioners residing in Kenya and measures to curb fraudulent acquisition of professional licences.
Stakeholders, however, differed over proposed penalties, particularly a Sh5 million fine for facilities that detain patients or bodies of deceased persons over unpaid medical bills.
Some argued the penalty was excessive, proposing negotiated payment arrangements between hospitals and affected families.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has called for the withdrawal of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said existing laws and regulatory mechanisms are sufficient to address malpractice and maintain standards in the health sector.
Atellah said while the union supports effective regulation of healthcare professionals, any new regulations must be evidence-based, legally coherent and practical to implement.
He said the primary focus of reforms should be protection of the public.
His position emerged during a public participation forum on the Bill conducted by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health.
The proposed law seeks, among other measures, to regulate community oral health officers, dental technologists and optometrists and curb fraudulent acquisition of professional licences.
