Counties will begin a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed health facilities following a sharp rise in complaints of medical negligence and unqualified practitioners. Governor Muthomi Njuki, chair of the Council of Governors Health Committee, confirmed that the counties will work alongside the Ministry of Health to target unauthorized clinics and pharmacies operating without licenses. “These facilities are endangering lives. We have received disturbing reports of people posing as healthcare professionals and causing avoidable deaths,” governor Muthomi Njuki said Friday during a speech in Mpukoni, Tharaka Nithi County.
The operation aims to identify and close unlicensed hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Many have been found to provide poor-quality services or operate under borrowed licenses to fraudulently claim government reimbursements.
Governor Muthomi Njuki said the committee was particularly concerned about pharmacies sprouting in residential areas and marketplaces without proper regulatory approval. “These outlets do not meet the standards required to treat patients safely,” Njuki reiterated.
Chair of the Council of Governors Health Committee urged Kenyans to remain cautious and report any suspicious health facilities in their areas. “Our people deserve safe, qualified medical care,” Njuki said.
Governor Njuki also called on Kenyans to enroll in the new Social Health Authority (SHA) system, which Njuki cited would help protect patients and promote fair access to care. The SHA scheme, launched earlier this year, replaces the former NHIF and aims to ensure universal healthcare through a prepaid insurance model. Governor Njuki promoted the Lipa Pole Pole option, which allows users to pay for annual coverage in smaller, manageable installments. “Paying a little over time is far better than facing huge bills during an emergency,” Njuki said. “This system can ease the financial strain many families experience when seeking medical help.”
Governor Muthomi Njuki criticized those resisting the SHA healthcare model adding weight on its credibility, saying critics were ignoring the long-term health scheme benefits. “This is not about politics. It’s about protecting lives,” Njuki stated.
The governor of Tharaka Nithi County hailed preparations to roll out cancer screening machines to all 115 of its health facilities by 2026. Governor Muthomi Njuki adding that the move is part of a broader plan to improve early detection and treatment of chronic diseases. The governor made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 40-bed maternity wing at Mpukoni Health Centre. The expansion aims to improve maternal health services in the region, where access remains limited for many rural residents. “We are committed to raising health standards in every part of the county,” he said. “But this starts with removing quacks from the system and ensuring people get care from qualified professionals.”
The Ministry of Health guidelines aims to crackdown on unlicensed health clinics that continue to operate illegally without supervision and accountability against the law, governor Njuki efforts adds weight to the ongoing crackdown.
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