The government has instructed that all ambulances and emergency care personnel/technicians be registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).

KMPDC, in a notice dated Monday, September 8, said all ambulances, regardless of ownership, providing emergency medical services must register.

All emergency care personnel and technicians — including paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), ambulance operators, and other healthcare workers providing pre-hospital care — are also required to register.

“The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), pursuant to the Health Act, 2017 and the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act (Cap 253), hereby notifies all providers of ambulance services and emergency care personnel/technicians providing medical services in Kenya to register with the Council.”

“Ambulance services play a critical role in the continuum of emergency patient care services.”

KMPDC explained that the registration will help standardize emergency care services nationwide and enhance the quality of pre-hospital healthcare.

 It also noted that the exercise will support the operationalization of the emergency services component under the Social Health Authority’s Emergency, Critical Care, and Chronic Illness Fund.

Ambulance service providers and emergency care personnel have been directed to submit their applications either by email to the council or physically at its offices.

Application forms and detailed requirements are available for download from the Council’s website https://kmpdc.go.ke/downloads/.

“Applications must be submitted to KMPDC through or in person at KMPDC offices,” the Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Kariuki, said.

All ambulance services and emergency care providers in Kenya are required to register with KMPDC by 15 September 2025.

Failure to register with KMPDC will result in sanctions, including prohibition from operating ambulances or providing emergency medical services.

“KMPDC is committed to ensuring quality and safe emergency medical services for all Kenyans,” the council added.

This comes after the council in August announced the closure of 544 health facilities and the revocation of licenses for 454 hospitals across the country.

In a gazette notice dated Friday, August 29, the KMPDC stated that the facilities were shut down or downgraded because they were either unregistered or unlicensed.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, in accordance with section 15 (11) and section 22 (5), has closed the following premises for being used as health institutions without being duly registered or licensed, as stated below,” read the notice in part.

KMPDC also stated that some hospitals had employed practitioners who were unregistered or unlicensed or were operating below the required standards. 

Others lacked critical infrastructure, such as pharmacies, maternity wings, and laboratories. Some faced sanitation issues and inadequate waste disposal, posing a direct threat to patient health.

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