Public health authorities in Kenya have taken decisive action against the growing threat of illegal medical practices.
In a recent week-long operation that ended on June 19, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) shut down 48 unlicensed pharmacies across Nairobi and Kajiado counties.
The sweep, which examined 155 premises in areas such as Eastleigh, Mathare, and Rongai, uncovered widespread violations of national medicine regulations.
The enforcement exercise resulted in the arrest of 95 individuals suspected of running these unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.
These suspects are now facing charges in courts across Kajiado, Kibra, and Makadara. To prevent these illegal businesses from simply reopening, the PPB has coordinated with the National Police Service and county governments to keep the sites closed.
Furthermore, inspectors seized 169 cartons of medication, which will remain in storage while the court determines how to dispose of the materials properly.
This crackdown is a direct response to a series of disturbing incidents involving unqualified individuals providing medical care.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board offices, Photo Courtesy/The Standard
The public has been shaken by stories like that of a child who lost their sight after being mistakenly given skin cream instead of eye drops by an untrained worker.
Similarly, the tragic death of 40-year-old Amos Isoka who succumbed to a severe infection following a botched tooth extraction at an unlicensed clinic highlighted the life-threatening risks posed by “ghost” facilities.
In the wake of these events, regulators have moved quickly to shut down dangerous operations and hold practitioners accountable.
These local efforts are part of a larger, ongoing nationwide campaign led by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Alongside the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, the Ministry of Health is working to clean up the sector by targeting non-compliant facilities that engage in fraudulent billing, operate with poor hygiene, or lack the essential equipment needed to treat patients safely.
The government aims to protect citizens from further harm and ensure that medical services are provided only by registered, capable professionals. Officials have emphasized that these surveillance activities are essential to restoring trust in the healthcare system.
The government maintains that consistent oversight is required to uphold safety standards and ensure that every patient in Kenya has access to legitimate and reliable pharmaceutical care.
