Zetech University Vice Chancellor Professor Njenga Munene has raised the alarm over an acute shortage of medical doctors in Kenya, attributing the crisis to the mass exodus of professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.
Speaking at the university’s Mangu campus, Prof. Munene described the situation as a “national health emergency” following revelations in the 2025–2026 Budget Economic Survey that Kenya has only 13,340 registered doctors to serve a population of over 52 million. This translates to a doctor-patient ratio of 1:3,000 far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1,000.
“This means Kenya requires at least 52,000 doctors to meet its current healthcare needs,” Prof. Munene said. He warned that the growing shortage is severely compromising the quality of healthcare delivery, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the migration of Kenyan doctors, engineers, lecturers, and other skilled professionals to foreign nations is a key driver of the crisis. Many are drawn by higher salaries, better working conditions, and access to advanced facilities abroad.
“It’s not just doctors. Some of the top universities and hospitals across Africa and even in developed countries are being led by Kenyan professionals,” he remarked. “We are exporting our best brains at the expense of our own national development.”
Prof. Munene urged the government to intervene by implementing policies that promote job satisfaction and retention for professionals. These include improving remuneration, working conditions, and career development opportunities within the country.
“If we do not act now, the consequences will be dire,” he warned. “Our health system is already overstretched, and the well-being of our citizens is at stake.”
He called on policymakers to treat the brain drain crisis with the urgency it deserves, noting that national growth hinges on the ability to retain and utilize local expertise.
Prof. Munene’s remarks come amid growing concern over Kenya’s ability to meet its healthcare goals under Vision 2030, as well as its commitments to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
