Nairobi: Kenya will prioritize the licensing and deployment of qualified Kenyan health practitioners before considering the routine licensing of foreign doctors and other health professionals. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced this policy on Wednesday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to utilizing substantial public resources invested in training local doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and specialists at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
According to Kenya News Agency, Duale stressed that it is both prudent and just for Kenyans trained with public resources to be given first priority to serve their country. He highlighted that this stance aligns with international best practices and is supported by global organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which advocate for countries to prioritize their own qualified health workforce to ensure national workforce planning, sustainability, and health system resilience.
Duale clarified that no country has developed a sustainable health system relying solely on a foreign health workforce. However, he noted that the policy does not apply to countries within the East African Community (EAC) region. The Ministry will assess applications from foreign practitioners on a case-by-case basis, focusing on national interest and prioritizing areas with a demonstrable skills gap, especially in highly specialized fields where local capacity is lacking or still developing.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that Kenya’s approach is neither isolationist nor unique, as many countries, including high-income nations, implement similar policies to prioritize local professionals while allowing regulated entry of foreign practitioners in exceptional cases. This policy is also a response to regulatory concerns, as the Ministry has identified instances where individuals seek registration in Kenya despite lacking recognition or licensure in their home countries.
Duale reiterated that as the custodian of Kenya’s health security, the Ministry will continue to work through statutory regulatory bodies to ensure that licensing decisions uphold patient safety, professional integrity, and national workforce sustainability. This approach aligns with Kenyan law and international obligations, ensuring that qualified Kenyans are prioritized, regional commitments are respected, and foreign engagement is permitted only when it adds clear value and meets ethical and professional standards.
Kenya, Duale noted, remains committed to regional integration and continues to honor reciprocal recognition agreements within the EAC framework, facilitating mutual recognition of qualifications and regulated professional mobility among Partner States.