Parliament has launched a crackdown on county-employed medical personnel accused of neglecting their duties in public hospitals to run private clinics, a practice senators say is worsening the deteriorating state of healthcare in Kenya.
The Senate Health Committee, led by nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, has termed the dual practice unethical and called for stern disciplinary action against the medics involved. The committee is seeking a detailed audit of licensed doctors, pharmacists, and clinical officers, especially those employed by county governments, to assess the scale of the problem.
The Senate wants key regulatory bodies the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, the Clinical Officers Council, and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to provide data on private facilities owned by public health workers and disclose any disciplinary measures taken against practitioners in conflict of interest.
This move comes after a Senate report uncovered appalling conditions in county hospitals, including chronic drug shortages, staff deficits, expired medicines, and poor infrastructure. During inspections of several referral hospitals, including Longisa, Nyamira, Ekerenyo, and Kisii, the committee found facilities overcrowded and under-equipped.
At Longisa County Referral Hospital, for instance, 46 patients were crammed into a ward meant for 39, while the maternity unit, designed for 16 patients, was handling up to 120 mothers with just two doctors and three nurses per shift. At Ekerenyo, a lack of basic items like curtains compromised patient privacy, and Nyamira’s drug supply from Kemsa was only at 60 per cent of the order, with essential medicines at 40 per cent.
The Senate report paints a grim picture of public health services, highlighting systemic issues such as low morale among staff, poor sanitation, and erratic utilities. Lawmakers say these problems are exacerbated by healthcare workers prioritizing their private businesses during official working hours.
The committee’s findings underscore the urgent need for reforms, increased funding, and accountability to restore faith in public healthcare. Senators are pushing for clear enforcement of professional ethics and regulations to ensure public resources and personnel serve the citizens as intended.
