THARAKA NITHI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a stern warning to doctors accused of diverting patients from public hospitals to private facilities for personal gain, saying the practice undermines public healthcare and amounts to abuse of trust.
Speaking in Tharaka Nithi County on Tuesday, Duale said the Ministry had received complaints that some doctors were deliberately delaying procedures in public hospitals, only to later approach patients privately with offers of faster treatment in private facilities.
“Kenyatta has 26 theatres. You go for surgery and you are told, ‘come back after two months’. If you agree, the doctor follows you and tells you, ‘if you go to a certain private hospital in town, I will do it tomorrow’. Can you imagine?” Duale said. “I want to tell Kenyatta doctors: either you work for Kenyatta or you become private consultants.”
The CS said such conduct erodes confidence in public health institutions and exploits patients who often have limited options. He warned that the ministry would not hesitate to take administrative and legal action against medical professionals found engaging in the practice.
Duale urged Kenyans to embrace the government’s digital health platform, Afya Yangu, saying it would enhance transparency, empower patients, and close loopholes that enable fraud within the healthcare system.
“All Kenyans with a smartphone should install Afya Yangu. It will show you everything — medical checks, costs and your balance. No one will steal from you. We want to ensure every claim is verified and every fraud loophole is sealed,” he said.
The remarks come amid broader efforts by the government to clean up the health sector, improve accountability, and strengthen public confidence in state-run facilities, which serve the majority of low- and middle-income Kenyans.
In a related development, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) on Tuesday issued a public notice warning against the sale and distribution of unregistered, falsified and counterfeit health products in Kenya.
The regulator cautioned manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and supermarkets that the importation, possession, sale or use of such products is illegal and will attract regulatory and criminal sanctions.
PPB also warned supermarkets, cosmetic shops, household goods stores, online sellers and other general retail outlets against stocking or selling prescription-only medicines, saying the practice violates the law.
“Supermarkets and general retail outlets are not authorised to stock, sell or supply prescription-only medicines. Any outlet found contravening this requirement will face regulatory action, including prosecution of owners, managers and directors,” the Board said in the notice.
The regulator noted that individuals and entities found dealing in illegal medicines risk prosecution, suspension or revocation of operating licences, and closure of premises. Liability may also extend to superintendent pharmacists or pharmaceutical technologists, managers, and company directors.
PPB encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected illegal medicines or adverse drug reactions, even where they are not fully certain.
“You need not be certain, just be suspicious. Report any suspected unregistered, falsified or counterfeit medicine, or adverse drug reaction to the Board,” the notice read.
Reports can be made through the PPB online portal, the *271# USSD code, the mPvERS mobile application on Android and iOS, or via the Board’s official communication channels.
The twin warnings by the Health Ministry and the regulator underscore growing pressure on healthcare professionals and suppliers to adhere strictly to ethical and legal standards, as the government seeks to restore integrity and accountability in Kenya’s health system.
