On 20 November 2018, Nairobi County told the assembly that hundreds of private clinics were still operating without full approval, raising fresh questions about regulation of health facilities in the capital.
A report from the County Public Health Department said Nairobi has 2,315 private clinics, but only 1,500 had inspection certificates and had been cleared as compliant. That left 800 facilities, or 34 percent, open and serving residents without the necessary permits, according to the county.
County Clinical Inspection Coordinator Jesca Omai gave the figures before the assembly’s Health Services committee last week. She said the numbers came from a mapping exercise carried out in August the previous year.
“After a mapping programme carried out in August last year, the department found out that Nairobi has a total of 2,315 private clinics out of which only 1,500 have received inspection certificates over time and have been cleared with the department as having the necessary permits,” said Ms Omai.
The committee, chaired by Roysambu Ward Representative Peter Warutere, pressed her on why the 800 clinics had been allowed to continue operating despite lacking licences. Members also wanted to know whether Nairobi residents were receiving proper treatment from the facilities.
Ms Omai said the county was not the only institution involved in licensing private clinics. She said the county works with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board, the Nursing Council of Kenya and the Clinical Officers Council, which she described as the legal licensing authority.
She explained that any clinic opening in Nairobi must first be inspected by county officers. Without that inspection, she said, operations should stop. She also complained that the regulatory boards rarely involve the county government in routine inspections.
“The department normally receives applications from people who want to start clinics in the capital city but it is not the only body that can license them,” she noted.
“We have regulatory bodies which are different. The overall one is the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board. Nursing councils can also license their own people.”
Ms Omai told the committee that the county planned to shut down unlicensed health facilities and step up random inspections and supervision across all levels. She added that the department had received a compliance officer from the medical board to strengthen checks.
The county also singled out Milan Health International, a private clinic linked to quack doctor James Mugo Ndicho, also known as Mugo Wa Wairimu. Officials said the facility had no business permit and no licence from City Hall.
According to Ms Omai, public health inspection officers were denied access during a routine visit. When they returned to check compliance, they found the clinic closed.
“No licence was given to Milan International and we have never met Mr Mugo in the clinic. The applicant for the permits for the clinic was Elijah Mathiai and the documents presented were for a nurse who was allowed to practice.”
Mr Mugo, who is accused of running an illegal clinic in Kayole and sexually assaulting a sedated patient while posing as a medical doctor, was arrested by Flying Squad officers in Gachie, Kiambu County, after a two-week search.
