The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been thrust into the spotlight following a directive by the Office of the Ombudsman requiring the release of crucial documents detailing the regulation of dentistry in Kenya. The Council’s Chief Executive Officer has been issued a strict seven-day deadline to furnish the necessary documentation, a move that comes in response to an official appeal by Dr. Kahura Mundia, a concerned medical practitioner.
Dr. Mundia had initially written to the KMPDC on March 6, 2025, seeking transparency and clarity on how the Council manages the regulation of dental professionals, including both dental practitioners and Community Oral Health Officers (COHOs). His request followed the Council’s recent publication of scopes of practice for these professionals, which he questioned in terms of their intent, placement, and purpose. He emphasized that such regulatory matters directly impact the right to healthcare under Article 43(1)(a) of the Kenyan Constitution and fall under the domain of consumer protection as outlined in Article 46.
Despite the significance of the issues raised, the KMPDC had not responded to Dr. Mundia’s initial request, prompting him to lodge an appeal with the Commission on Administrative Justice, commonly referred to as the Office of the Ombudsman. The appeal was filed under Section 14(1)(a) of the Access to Information (ATI) Act, 2016, which mandates public institutions to disclose requested information unless there is a justified exemption.
In its directive, the Commission specified that the KMPDC must provide either an institutional report or relevant documents concerning the regulation of dentistry in accordance with Section 22(3) of the ATI Act and Regulation 25(1) of the ATI General Regulations, 2023. Among the key documents requested are certified copies of the minutes from a meeting held on February 27, 2025, where stakeholders reportedly deliberated on the alleged misregulation in the dental field. The meeting reportedly touched on issues of illegal licensing practices and the contentious withdrawal of certain scopes of practice, both of which have raised alarms within the dental community.
Further, Dr. Mundia is seeking access to academic materials such as the curricula used in COHO diploma and degree programs at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and Mount Kenya University. These documents, which had been submitted to KMPDC for accreditation purposes, are crucial to understanding the framework used to train oral health professionals. He also requested access to internship logbooks for dental students from KMTC, Mount Kenya University, and public universities, as well as inspection reports from these institutions. These documents could shed light on the adequacy and quality of training being offered and help determine whether the Council’s regulatory decisions are being made on a sound academic and professional basis.
The Ombudsman’s office has warned that if the KMPDC CEO does not comply with the request within the seven-day period, the Commission will proceed to determine the appeal based on the available information, without further input from the Council. This situation places the Council under intense scrutiny and reflects growing calls for transparency and accountability in the regulation of Kenya’s health sector. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how professional regulatory bodies handle information requests and respond to public accountability in the future.
