More than 20 Congolese medical doctors working in Kenya filed an application at the High Court seeking orders to compel the government to renew their practising licences and work permits.
They argued that the decision to block them from practice is unlawful and discriminatory.
The doctors, who have lived and worked in Kenya for over a decade, accused the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) of arbitrarily declining to renew their licences following a directive issued on January 7, 2026.
In court papers, the applicants through their lawyer Danstan Omari argued that the Cabinet Secretary for Health halted the issuance of letters of no objection, documents required for foreign doctors to renew their licences effectively locking them out of medical practice in Kenya.
The doctors contended that the move was made without prior notice, consultation, or justification, despite their long-standing service in both public and private health institutions across the country.
“This abrupt decision has jeopardized patient care, disrupted livelihoods, and placed families at risk,” they argue.
They allege that many of their patients are Kenyan citizens who now face uncertainty over continued treatment.
The doctors further argue that the decision contradicts Kenya’s obligations under the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, following the Democratic Republic of Congo’s admission as a full member of the bloc in April 2022.
They said EAC membership guarantees them the right to work and practice across partner states without discriminatory barriers.
According to a supporting affidavit sworn by Dr Georges Maloba Banza, president of the Congolese Medical Practitioners Association in Kenya, the doctors have practiced in the country for years without facing similar hurdles until late 2025, when the licensing portal began demanding letters of no objection from the Ministry of Health.
Dr Banza said repeated attempts to obtain the required letters were ignored, and in some cases, hospitals employing Congolese doctors were expressly denied approval by the ministry.
The doctors also accused authorities of imposing exorbitant new fees for licence and work permit renewals, saying the costs were increased nearly tenfold, making compliance financially impossible for many of them.
They warned that unless the court intervenes, the impasse could worsen the already strained healthcare system by removing experienced practitioners from service.
In their application, the doctors sought judicial review orders to quash the ministry’s decision, compel the renewal of their licences and permits, and restrain the government from imposing further arbitrary barriers.
They insisted no prejudice will be suffered by the state if the orders are granted, adding that the public interest lies in safeguarding patient care and upholding the rule of law.
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