Over 20 Congolese doctors working in Kenya have sued the Ministry of Health and Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale after the refusal to renew their 2026 licenses and work permits. They describe the move as arbitrary and discriminatory, despite the Democratic Republic of Congo being an East African Community member. The medics seek court orders to prohibit the action, citing violations of their constitutional and labor rights.
The lawsuit was filed on Monday, January 12, 2026, under a certificate of urgency by lawyer Danstan Omari, representing the doctors. Omari argued that the medics are East African Community (EAC) members, yet they were denied renewals despite Duale's assurance that EAC practitioners would be unaffected. “He is very categorical that all doctors from the East African community will be offered employment. That statement is not true. Congolese doctors have not been allowed to renew their licences,” Omari stated.
According to Omari, the doctors faced issues last year, paying up to Ksh 500,000 for license renewals instead of the required Ksh 20,000. They are qualified professionals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who have lived and worked in Kenya for over a decade, serving public and private health facilities. They claim new requirements and costs imposed by authorities have blocked renewals, warning that without court intervention, patients will lose essential care and the practitioners' families will face economic hardship.
The action follows Duale's directives prioritizing Kenyan-trained health professionals for licensing and jobs over foreigners. The move is backed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which accuses private facilities of exploiting cheap foreign labor and sidelining locals. Duale stated the policy aligns with international best practices, emphasizing that no country builds a sustainable health system relying mainly on foreign workers.
However, Duale's orders exempted EAC member state practitioners, and this commitment is now in question following the DRC doctors' petition. The case is set for urgent judicial directions, with the medics urging the Kenyan and DRC governments to collaborate on a lasting solution.
