The Ministry of Health (MoH) has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to enforce the immediate closure of aesthetic clinics operating illegally.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni said that the decision was arrived at after the MoH, through the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, in collaboration with various health regulatory agencies, concluded a comprehensive assessment of aesthetic clinics and beauty spas offering plastic surgery.
The PS said that the inspection was also done on facilities conducting invasive cosmetic procedures in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
Muthoni said that this assessment was initiated following a directive by the Ministry to investigate compliance with licensing and safety standards after the tragic death of a patient at Omnicare Medical Limited.
Muthoni explained that a total of 26 aesthetic clinics were assessed, of which 20 (77%) were found to be compliant with licensing and operational standards; three facilities had applied for registration and were awaiting approval, while another three were operating illegally without registration.
“A total of 102 beauty spas were inspected, with seven found to be offering invasive procedures such as microblading and microneedling without proper registration or qualified personnel,” said Muthoni.
The PS disclosed that 40% of assessed facilities lacked essential emergency medical supplies, while 25% exhibited inadequate infection prevention and control measures.
She highlighted that Omnicare Medical Limited was not assessed as it remains closed pending legal proceedings.
“All facilities with inadequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures must comply with recommended standards within 30 days,” directed the PS.
Muthoni said that facilities lacking emergency medical provisions must establish and equip emergency trays within 60 days, while aesthetic centers and clinics without Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must develop and implement them within 60 days to ensure safe and standardised practices.
“All beauty and medical spas are prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless properly inspected, registered, and licensed as per the norms and standards. The government is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for invasive cosmetic procedures in beauty and medical spas to enhance public protection, safety, and compliance,” said the PS.
She continued, “The Ministry of Health urges members of the public to seek cosmetic and plastic surgery services only from licensed and qualified practitioners to safeguard their health and well-being. Additionally, beauty and medical spas are prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless properly registered and licensed.”
The PS said that the Ministry remains committed to enhancing patient safety, strengthening regulations, and ensuring that all health-related services in Kenya adhere to the highest standards of care.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
