Under the new directive, only doctors from member states of the East African Community (EAC) will be allowed to continue practicing. They will be permitted to work in the country. Doctors with highly specialised skills not available locally will also be permitted to practice.
CS Duale said the move is designed to protect jobs for Kenyan trained medical professionals. For years, they have struggled to find employment despite undergoing costly training paid for by taxpayers.
He emphasized that Kenyan health workers should be given first priority in licensing and deployment. Only after that should foreign doctors be considered routinely.
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The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has welcomed the decision. They hailed it as a victory for local doctors.
Union Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah accused some private hospitals of exploiting foreign doctors as cheap labour. Paying wages far below standards set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
According to union officials, more than 3,000 foreign general practitioners have been licensed in recent years. This is not due to genuine skills shortages. It is because they are easier to underpay.
The policy stops short of a blanket ban. Foreign practitioners from outside the EAC will now face strict case by case vetting. They will only be licensed in fields where no qualified Kenyan professional exists.
The government says this approach aligns with international best practice. It supports regional integration. It also ensures long term sustainability of Kenya’s health workforce.
The directive is expected to relieve pressure on unemployed Kenyan doctors. It is also anticipated to spark reforms in how hospitals recruit and employ medical staff.
However, the implementation of the policy and its impact on healthcare delivery will be closely watched in the months ahead.
