By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 7 January 2026 - Kenya’s health authorities have announced a significant policy shift that will affect foreign doctors working in the country, prompting discussion about the state of the nation’s medical workforce and the implications for healthcare delivery.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has declared that licenses for foreign medical practitioners will no longer be routinely renewed and will only be granted if the physician possesses a specialty that is unavailable among Kenyan doctors.
The announcement, described by the Health CS as a “long-overdue measure,” comes after years of what he characterized as unchecked reliance on foreign professionals in key sectors of the healthcare system.
“For many years, we have depended on doctors from abroad for specialties that can be trained locally. This practice is no longer sustainable,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He added that the policy seeks to encourage the development of local expertise while ensuring that patients continue to access critical services where gaps remain.
The new directive will require regulatory authorities to verify that any foreign doctor seeking licensure is offering skills not currently available in the country. Practitioners whose specialties are already covered by local professionals will no longer be allowed to renew their licenses.
Health officials emphasised that the measure is intended to protect patients, maintain high professional standards, and incentivize the training of Kenyan medical specialists.
Observers note that Kenya has historically faced challenges in staffing hospitals with highly specialized personnel.
While the country has produced a growing number of medical graduates over the last decade, shortages remain in areas such as neurosurgery, cardiology, and pediatric oncology. Health policy analysts describe the announcement as a recognition of persistent structural gaps while signaling a strategic pivot toward self-sufficiency in medical expertise.
The Health CS also highlighted the risks of over-reliance on foreign doctors, citing examples of disruptions in service when expatriates leave or when licensing issues arise.
“We cannot build a sustainable healthcare system if critical skills are dependent on temporary contracts,” Duale said, emphasising the need to nurture and retain Kenyan talent.
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Some healthcare associations have expressed support for the move, describing it as a step toward reducing brain drain and strengthening local training programs.
They argue that incentives for medical specialization, coupled with opportunities for career progression, are essential for retaining skilled professionals within the country. However, concerns remain over potential short-term impacts on service delivery, particularly in underserved regions and specialised units that currently rely heavily on expatriate expertise.
Humanitarian and health observers warn that implementation will need to be gradual and carefully managed to avoid gaps in patient care.
Hospitals in major cities and remote areas alike have benefited from foreign specialists who fill critical niches, and abrupt enforcement of the policy could strain facilities already operating at capacity.
Experts stress that aligning the policy with expanded training programs and retention strategies will be crucial to ensuring that healthcare services remain uninterrupted.
The Health CS stated that authorities are developing clear guidelines for licensing procedures, including verification of specialty shortages and mechanisms to assess the impact on service delivery. “We are not closing our doors to foreign expertise entirely; we are ensuring that it is complementary to the local workforce,” he said.
For now, the announcement represents a milestone in Kenya’s efforts to balance the immediate healthcare needs of the population with long-term strategies for professional development.
Analysts view it as part of a broader drive to assert local ownership of health services, reduce dependence on foreign labor, and strengthen the capacity of Kenyan medical institutions.
As the new policy is implemented, stakeholders will be watching closely to gauge its effect on both specialist availability and the broader goal of cultivating a robust, self-sufficient healthcare system.
