On Wednesday, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) released a statement raising alarm about the high number of unqualified individuals using the ‘Dr’ title.
In the statement, KMPDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr David Kariuki, noted that the unlawful use of the title could not only endanger patients’ lives but was also punishable by law.
According to Dr Kariuki, the perpetrators face imprisonment of up to five years or a fine not exceeding Ksh5 million, or both.
“It is an offence under Section 22 (2) of CAP 253, Laws of Kenya, to use the title Dr (Medical/dental) without the requisite qualifications or to purport to offer medical/dental services while using this title,” part of the statement read.
“This offense carries the penalties of a fine not exceeding Ksh5,000,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.”
Section 22 (3) of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act CAP 253 also outlines the same repercussions for Kenyans who use the title without acquiring the qualifications.
Apart from the criminal liability, the statement further revealed that individuals who use the title and pass themselves off as medical doctors pose a significant risk to patients.
This is because their diagnoses and treatment plans are often, “based on unverified or outdated information, leading to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or even exacerbating underlying health conditions.”
To verify the authenticity of their medical doctors and facilities through or via SMS to 20547.
“To verify a doctor, send: P#Full Name of Practitioner or P#Registration Number. To verify a health facility, send the following: H#Full Name of Facility or Registration Number,” the statement concluded.
KMPDC is not the first professional body to have had to react to a large number of Kenyans using their title despite not attaining the academic qualifications to deserve it.
On December 24, 2024, the Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK) directed Northwestern Christian University-Kenya to immediately recall Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi’s Honorary Doctorate Degree stating that he had not earned the credentials the rightful way.
“Please note that the prefix ‘Eng.’ before anyone’s name is protected by law under the Engineers Act, 2011. It takes at least eight years of hard work to earn it. Oscar Sudi, please stop this disrespectful use of a title you have not earned," Institution of Engineers Kenya (IEK) President, Engineer Shammah Kiteme reiterated in a later statement.
