The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced a nationwide crackdown on private hospitals underpaying doctors and improperly employing foreign doctors, describing the practice as "modern-day slavery." This move follows Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale's commitment to prioritize Kenyan health professionals for licensing and employment.

• KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah stated that over 3,000 foreign doctors have been licensed in Kenya in the last three years, often due to vulnerability rather than skill gaps.
• The union accuses some hospitals of paying doctors below rates set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Health CS Duale affirmed that while Kenyan professionals will be prioritized, this directive will not apply to citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states, and foreign practitioners will be vetted for highly specialized fields where local expertise is insufficient.

The Ministry of Health in Kenya has announced new directives prioritizing Kenyan-trained health professionals for licensing and employment over foreign doctors, effective January 7. This move aims to ensure that Kenyans educated with public funds serve their country first, aligning with international best practices.

• The directive will not apply to citizens from East African Community member states due to existing mutual recognition agreements.
• Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale emphasized that foreign professionals will be vetted on a case-by-case basis, primarily for highly specialized areas where local expertise is limited.
• Currently, Kenya has approximately 14,829 registered doctors, with only 3,930 serving in the public sector, while roughly 62 percent work in the private sector.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued new directives to striking clinical officers, demanding a fully inclusive Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) before he signs it. This move has been met with criticism from medics, who accuse Duale of hindering efforts to end their 16-day strike.

• Duale claims the current CBA only covers 150 clinical officers directly employed by the national government, excluding over 7,000 employed by county governments and referral hospitals.
• The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) initiated a nationwide strike on December 22, 2025, demanding the signing and implementation of their finalized CBA and recognition under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
• Despite approval from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), clinicians state that Duale is the sole obstacle to the CBA's implementation, while he maintains county governments sign separate agreements.