Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a stern warning to health regulatory bodies, urging them to uphold the highest training standards to safeguard patient safety.

Speaking during a meeting with Mount Kenya University (MKU) leadership on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Duale reiterated the Ministry of Health’s commitment to ensuring that all health workers, from community oral health officers to specialist surgeons, are trained to the highest professional standards.

His remarks form part of a broader push to address systemic challenges in Kenya’s medical education sector.

Building on earlier reforms

The CS’s comments build on reforms he announced in April 2025 during a meeting with the Clinical Officers Council (COC). At the time, he directed the Council to fully digitise its systems and conduct a comprehensive reinspection of all licensed health facilities, submitting detailed reports to the Ministry.

“To reinforce accountability, do not license any clinical officer trained in an institution that has not been duly merited, inspected, and audited by the Council,” he stressed then. These measures form part of wider efforts to streamline healthcare delivery and strengthen oversight.

Tuesday’s meeting, attended by Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, KMPDC CEO David Kariuki, and Acting CEO of the Kenya Nursing Council Anne Mukuna, focused on decisive action. Duale assured stakeholders that the Ministry is addressing training challenges while partnering with institutions to improve curriculum design, faculty development, and quality assurance.

Firm stand against malpractice

Duale’s latest warning comes just a day after he cautioned against accrediting non-compliant facilities, amid a probe into suspected organ transplant malpractice.

“The ministry will not tolerate such cases of malpractice as usual,” he declared during a visit to KMPDC offices.

He also reaffirmed his support for policy reforms, the rollout of the Taifa Care Model, and restructuring the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to improve the distribution of essential health commodities.

Duale’s hardline stance signals a transformative era for Kenya’s healthcare sector, prioritising quality training, strict regulation, and accountability to protect the public interest.