The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has shut down 511 private health facilities across Mandera, Nairobi, and Wajir counties.

The crackdown followed an extensive inspection to ensure safety, licensing, and compliance with medical standards.

KMPDC also downgraded 267 facilities and arrested 31 individuals linked to serious violations.

These violations included operating without valid licenses and employing unregistered medical workers.

KMPDC CEO Dr. David Kariuki said most closed clinics lacked basic infrastructure like pharmacies, labs, and maternity wards.

He also cited poor sanitation, lack of water, and unsafe waste disposal systems as key reasons for closure.

“Some facilities lacked clean water and proper waste systems, putting patients at serious risk,” said Dr. Kariuki.

The council found unqualified workers in some facilities, endangering patients and violating medical regulations.

“Using unregistered personnel undermines patient safety and damages public trust in healthcare,” the council stated.

KMPDC downgraded facilities that lacked equipment, had poor staffing, and ran short of medical supplies.

KMPDC said the facilities did not meet the service standards required by their licenses.

“They failed to meet the minimum standards required at their designated levels,” Dr. Kariuki added.

KMPDC is conducting the ongoing inspection in partnership with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

The government agency urged all health facilities to remain open during official hours and comply fully with inspections.

Any facility found closed during its expected working hours will be marked inactive and delisted.