A regional audit by the East African Community (EAC) has found major gaps in Kenya’s medical and dental training, revealing that only three of 13 inspected institutions fully meet required standards for training doctors and dentists.
According to the report, only Maseno University, Mount Kenya University and Kisii University were fully compliant with East African Community training benchmarks.
Mount Kenya University School of Medicine led with 82 per cent compliance, followed by Maseno University School of Medicine at 81 per cent and Kisii University School of Health Sciences at 80 per cent.
Several leading institutions, including the University of Nairobi and Moi University, were found to be only partially compliant. The University of Nairobi School of Medicine scored 58 per cent while its School of Dental Sciences scored 68 per cent. Moi University School of Medicine scored 61 per cent and its School of Dentistry 54 per cent, with inspectors citing failure to implement previous recommendations.
The audit recommended urgent programme reviews and corrective action before new student admissions.
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Uzima University College recorded the lowest score at 49 per cent and was classified as non-compliant. Inspectors flagged missing basic science departments, over-enrolment, heavy reliance on part-time lecturers and use of incomplete facilities, recommending closure of the programme and transfer of students.
Several institutions were also directed to suspend admissions until deficiencies are corrected. These include Kenya Methodist University, Kenyatta University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Moi University and Egerton University, pending compliance improvements and fresh inspections.
The report has also intensified debate over dental training standards, with the Kenya Dental Association questioning the equivalence of Bachelor of Science in Oral Health and Bachelor of Dental Surgery programmes, citing risks to professional standards and patient safety.
The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has called for a full review of all medical and dental training programmes, demanding publication of accreditation records and stricter enforcement of quality standards, warning that failure to act could compromise patient safety and the integrity of the health sector.
By Juma Ndigo
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