The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has urged Kenyans to take extra steps to confirm the qualifications of medical practitioners, following a deadly surgical procedure in Kitale that has raised alarm across the country.
A 22-year-old man died after undergoing what has been described as an unlawful and unsafe surgical operation at a facility in Trans Nzoia County.
The case, now under investigation, has exposed gaps in patient safety and highlighted the risks posed by unlicensed practitioners and unregistered clinics.
In a statement on May 30, KMA described the death as preventable, saying the procedure was carried out in the absence of basic surgical infrastructure and infection control standards.
The doctors’ body warned that such conditions place patients in direct danger and violate professional medical ethics.
How To Verify Your Doctor
In response to the incident, KMA has issued clear guidelines to help the public confirm whether a doctor is licensed and whether a facility is approved to operate.
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Kenyans can verify a doctor by sending an SMS to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) using the format P# followed by the doctor’s name or registration number.
They can also confirm the status of a medical facility by sending H# followed by the facility’s name or registration number to the short code 20547.
In addition, the public can check the KMPDC website to confirm whether a practitioner or facility is registered. KMA stressed that patients have the right to request proof of licensure before undergoing any treatment or surgical procedure.
The association said these simple steps can help prevent cases where patients unknowingly receive treatment from unqualified individuals or in unsafe environments.
KMA on Kitale Tragedy
A young man, Brian Simiyu, died after undergoing a surgical procedure at a private facility in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, in a case that has sparked national concern over patient safety.
KMA reports indicate that the operation was carried out in an unregistered, poorly equipped facility, raising questions about how such a procedure was allowed to occur.
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KMA says the conditions under which the surgery was conducted were unsuitable for medical treatment, with possible gaps in basic infrastructure and infection control standards.
“As documented in video footage now in the public domain and confirmed by the official media briefing of the County Government of Trans Nzoia, a major surgical procedure was performed in the complete absence of basic surgical infrastructure and infection prevention and control standards. The patient was placed in absolute and foreseeable danger. This is a direct violation of the physician’s pledge and duty to do no harm,” KMA stated.
Following the incident, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) launched a formal investigation, working with police and county authorities to gather clinical records, witness statements, and any available evidence.
Unlicensed Clinics in Kenya
Unlicensed health facilities operating below required standards remain a serious threat in Kenya’s healthcare system, contributing to preventable injuries and deaths.
These facilities operate without approval from regulators such as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and often lack trained staff, proper equipment, and basic safety controls.
Patients have died after procedures carried out in unregistered clinics, including a 2026 case involving a botched tooth extraction by an unqualified practitioner, and the Kitale surgery death now under investigation.
In 2025, authorities shut down 544 unlicensed health facilities and suspended 85 others for fraud and operating below standards, with more than 1,100 cases forwarded to investigators.
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