Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced a policy shift prioritising qualified Kenyan health practitioners ahead of the routine licensing of foreign doctors and other health professionals.
In a statement issued on January 7, 2026, CS Duale said this was aimed at protecting public investment, strengthening the national health workforce, and safeguarding patient safety.
“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,” he stated.
Duale stated that Kenya has invested substantial public resources in training doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and specialists at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Additionally, the statement noted that these investments are funded by taxpayers and must translate into employment opportunities for locally trained professionals.
“It is both prudent and just that Kenyans trained using public resources are given priority to serve our country,” it read.
Grounded in International Best Practice, Duale Confirms
According to the Ministry, the policy aligns with international labour and health standards.
It cited guidance from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), which consistently encourage countries to prioritise employment for their own qualified health workforce as part of sustainable national workforce planning.
The Ministry argued that no country has developed a resilient and sustainable health system by relying on a foreign health workforce.
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Additionally, it added that prioritising local professionals is a globally recognised approach to strengthening health systems and ensuring long-term service delivery.
“No country, world over, has developed a sustainable health system with a foreign health workforce.”
The statement further clarified that Kenya’s approach is neither isolationist nor unusual, noting that many countries, including high-income nations, apply similar policies while allowing limited and regulated entry of foreign practitioners in exceptional cases.
EAC Exemption, Limited Foreign Licensing, and Patient Safety Safeguards
CS Duale clarified that the new licensing policy does not apply to health practitioners from East African Community member states.
Kenya will continue to honour reciprocal recognition agreements under the EAC framework, allowing mutual recognition of qualifications and regulated professional mobility among partner states.
He confirmed that this exemption reflects Kenya’s commitment to regional integration while safeguarding national workforce priorities.
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For non-EAC countries, the Ministry stated that foreign health practitioners will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Licensing will only be granted where there is a clear skills gap, particularly in highly specialised or emerging fields where local capacity is limited.
Any approved foreign engagement must support knowledge transfer and strengthen the health system rather than displacing local professionals.
The policy also addresses regulatory and patient safety concerns, citing cases of individuals seeking registration in Kenya without proper recognition or licensure in their home countries.
Duale said all licensing decisions will prioritise patient safety, professional integrity, and compliance with Kenyan law and international obligations.
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