The Ministry of Health has directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to immediately shut down all unregistered aesthetic clinics operating illegally.

The directive came after the Ministry, in collaboration with various health regulatory agencies, concluded a comprehensive assessment of aesthetic clinics and beauty spas offering plastic surgery and invasive cosmetic procedures in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret.

The assessment was initiated following a directive by the Ministry to investigate compliance with licensing and safety standards after the tragic death of a patient at Omnicare Medical Limited in November 2024.

During the assessment, a total of 26 aesthetic clinics were assessed. It was established that 20 (77%) out of the 26 were compliant with licensing and operational standards. Three (3) facilities had applied for registration and were awaiting approval, while another three (3) were operating illegally without registration.

The assessment also revealed that out of the 102 beauty spas inspected, seven (7) were found to be offering invasive procedures such as micro-blading and micro-needling without proper registration or qualified personnel. 40% of assessed facilities lacked essential emergency medical supplies, while 25% exhibited inadequate infection prevention and control measures.

Omnicare Medical Limited was not assessed as it remains closed pending legal proceedings.

Consequently, the Ministry has ordered that all facilities with inadequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures must comply with recommended standards within 30 days, and that facilities lacking emergency medical provisions must establish and equip emergency trays within 60 days.

“Aesthetic centers/clinics without Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must develop and implement them within 60 days to ensure safe and standardized practices. All beauty and medical spas are prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless properly inspected, registered and licensed as per the norms and standards,” Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni says in a statement.

The government is also in the process of developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for invasive cosmetic procedures in beauty and medical spas to enhance public protection, safety and compliance.

The Ministry of Health is further urging members of the public to seek cosmetic and plastic surgery services only from licensed and qualified practitioners to safeguard their health and well-being.

“The Ministry remains committed to enhancing patient safety, strengthening regulations, and ensuring that all health-related services in Kenya adhere to the highest standards of care,” the PS concludes.