KMPDU Calls for Withdrawal of Medical Amendment Bill Over Regulatory Concerns
KMPDU urges Parliament to withdraw the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Amendment Bill, citing risks of regulatory confusion and threats to patient safety.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 23, 2026
2 min read
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has urged Parliament to withdraw the Medical Practitioners and Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that it could lead to regulatory confusion and compromise patient safety.
In a statement released on social media, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah rejected the bill entirely, highlighting significant policy, legal, and regulatory gaps that may undermine healthcare oversight.
Concerns Over Expanded Regulatory Scope
The proposed amendment seeks to broaden the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council’s (KMPDC) mandate to include auxiliary healthcare cadres such as community oral health officers, dental technologists, and optometrists. It also aims to rename the council as the Medical and Dental Council of Kenya and introduce new registration procedures, including pre-registration exams for the additional cadres.
KMPDU cautioned that these changes could cause professional overlaps and confusion without clearly defined and gazetted scopes of practice. The union stressed the need for a thorough evaluation of the council’s capacity to handle the expanded responsibilities.
Additional Provisions in the Bill
- Registration of certain foreign resident practitioners
- Mandatory professional indemnity insurance
- Revised licensing and disciplinary processes
- Criminal penalties for detaining patients or deceased bodies over unpaid medical bills, including fines up to Sh5 million and/or imprisonment up to five years
- Penalties for fraudulent registration or practising licences, including fines up to Sh300,000 and/or imprisonment up to 12 months
KMPDU’s Recommendations
The union called on Parliament to defer the bill’s consideration and urged the Ministry of Health to develop a comprehensive, harmonised regulatory framework that clearly defines scopes of practice for all healthcare professionals. KMPDU emphasized that regulation should prioritise patient safety, professional accountability, and adherence to established standards.
