A regional audit by the East African Community has revealed significant shortcomings in medical and dental education across Kenya, with only three of 13 inspected institutions meeting the standards required to train future doctors and dentists.
The findings have placed some of the country’s most respected institutions, including University of Nairobi and Moi University, under scrutiny after they failed to attain the compliance thresholds set by regional regulators.
According to the audit, only Maseno University, Mount Kenya University and Kisii University were found to be fully compliant with EAC standards for medical training.
Mount Kenya University School of Medicine emerged as the best-performing institution with a score of 82 per cent, followed by Maseno University School of Medicine at 81 per cent and Kisii University School of Health Sciences at 80 per cent.
Top Medical Schools That Met Standards
Mount Kenya University School of Medicine – 82%
Maseno University School of Medicine – 81%
Kisii University School of Health Sciences – 80%
The audit found that the remaining institutions were either partially compliant or failed to meet minimum standards, raising concerns about the quality of training received by healthcare professionals and the potential implications for patient safety.
University of Nairobi and Moi University Flagged
The University of Nairobi and Moi University, long regarded as pillars of medical education in Kenya, failed to achieve the required compliance levels.
The University of Nairobi School of Medicine scored 58 per cent and was classified as partially compliant, while its School of Dental Sciences scored 68 per cent. Moi University School of Medicine scored 61 per cent, while its School of Dentistry scored 54 per cent, with inspectors noting failure to implement previous recommendations.
The EAC recommended reviews of the programmes and directed the institutions to address identified shortcomings before admitting new students.
Institution Faces Closure Recommendation
The audit’s harshest findings were directed at Uzima University College, whose medical school scored just 49 per cent and was classified as non-compliant.
Inspectors reported that:
Key basic science departments had not been established.
Most teaching was conducted by part-time lecturers, contrary to EAC guidelines.
Student enrolment exceeded approved limits.
Lectures were being conducted in an incomplete building considered a safety risk.
The inspection team recommended closure of the programme and transfer of students to other accredited medical schools.
Admissions Suspended at Several Universities
Several institutions were directed to halt admissions until deficiencies are corrected.
Among them:
Kenya Methodist University School of Medicine (59%) – ordered to suspend admissions due to over-enrolment, staffing shortages, inadequate infrastructure and lack of accommodation for clinical students.
Kenyatta University School of Medicine (54%) – directed to suspend admissions to its Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Moi University School of Medicine and Egerton University Faculty of Health Sciences were also instructed not to admit new students until they address identified gaps and undergo fresh inspections.
Dental Training Dispute Intensifies
The report has resurfaced amid an ongoing dispute involving the Kenya Dental Association, which argues that the Bachelor of Science in Oral Health programme is not equivalent to a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and should not qualify graduates to practise dentistry.
In a memorandum to Parliament, the association warned that the matter raises serious concerns about professional standards, regulatory oversight and public safety.
Cofek Demands Accountability
The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has called for a comprehensive review of all medical and dental training programmes.
In a letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dated June 10, the lobby group questioned whether Bachelor of Dental Surgery programmes at the University of Nairobi and Moi University underwent full accreditation after receiving their charters.
Cofek has demanded publication of accreditation records and programme status reports, arguing that patient safety and the integrity of Kenya’s healthcare system must take precedence over institutional reputation.
The lobby group is urging regulators to enforce standards, review accreditation processes and take decisive action against institutions that fail to meet required benchmarks, warning that failure to act could expose patients to unsafe healthcare services.
