NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Health has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to shut down all illegally operating aesthetic clinics across the country, following an extensive review of compliance within the industry.
A probe led by the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards assessed aesthetic clinics and beauty spas in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret, focusing on licensing adherence and patient safety.
According to Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni Muriuki, 26 aesthetic clinics were inspected.
Of these, 20 met the required licensing and operational standards, while three were in the process of registration.
However, three clinics were found to be operating illegally without proper registration.
Additionally, 102 beauty spas were evaluated, with seven identified as offering invasive procedures like micro-blading and micro-needling without proper registration or qualified personnel.
The review also exposed gaps in safety, with 40% of facilities lacking essential emergency medical supplies and 25% failing to meet infection prevention and control (IPC) standards.
In response, the ministry has ordered the immediate closure of non-compliant facilities and mandated corrective measures for others.
Clinics with inadequate IPC measures must comply with standards within 30 days, while those lacking emergency medical provisions have 60 days to equip themselves accordingly.
Aesthetic centers without Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must develop and implement them within 60 days to ensure safety and standardization.
Furthermore, the government has banned beauty and medical spas from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless they are properly inspected, registered, and licensed.
The PS emphasized that a regulatory framework is in development to enhance oversight in the industry.
Muriuki urged the public to seek cosmetic and plastic surgery services only from licensed and qualified practitioners to safeguard their health and well-being.
