The Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) has issued a stern warning to employers against hiring unlicensed veterinary doctors, terming it a breach of the law.
KVB, on Tuesday, April 22, noted that anyone who employs an unlicensed veterinary surgeon or veterinary paraprofessional commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh100,000 or to imprisonment for at least one year, or both.
As per the law, the Board's mandate is to exercise general supervision and control over the training, business, practice, and employment of veterinary surgeons and veterinary paraprofessionals in Kenya.
In its notice, KVB also warned members of the public against practising as veterinary surgeons or veterinary paraprofessionals unless they were registered and licensed by the government.
According to the agency, any person whose name does not appear in the relevant register after March 31 of every year is deemed not to be registered under the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Paraprofessionals Act.
"No person shall practice, or hold himself out, whether directly or indirectly, as practising or being able to practice as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary paraprofessional or to take up employment as such unless he is registered and licensed," KVB warned.
"Consequently, any person whose name does not appear in the relevant register after 31st March every year is deemed not to be registered under the Act," the Board added.
Following the announcement, Kenyans seeking to know their registration status as either veterinary surgeons or veterinary paraprofessionals were urged to access the full document on the Board's website, kenyavetboard.or.ke/en/registers
It is not the first time KVB has warned against rogue individuals posing as vet doctors. In August last year, the Board was forced to close down a veterinary facility over non-compliance.
The shutdown followed a well-coordinated, rigorous crackdown carried out on August 6 in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and the neighbouring towns.
The infractions that led to the closure of the facility, which was situated within the city centre, included dispensing Prescription Only Medicines (POM) both online and over the counter without proper prescription files.
Further, the inspection officers realised that the agrovet was operated as a retail shop rather than a wholesale shop and used a fake licence to operate.
Addressing members of the press moments after shutting down the facility, the Board urged the rest of the agrovets to comply or else face similar repercussions.
