DNK International By Our Reporter,Milimani Court
A group of 22 Congolese medical practitioners has moved to the High Court seeking urgent intervention to stop what they term as arbitrary and discriminatory barriers to the renewal of their practising licences and work permits in Kenya.
In an application filed under a certificate of urgency, the doctors want the court to issue orders against the Cabinet Secretary for Health, the Ministry of Health and other state agencies, accusing them of violating their constitutional, labour and administrative rights.
The applicants, led by Dr Georges Maloba Banza, say they are qualified doctors from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who have lived and worked in Kenya for over a decade, serving both public and private health institutions.
They argue that despite years of seamless practice, they have been unable to renew their practising licences for 2026 due to new requirements and costs imposed by the authorities.
According to court documents, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) notified health institutions in October 2025 to renew their operating licences.
However, when the applicants attempted to renew their individual practising licences, they were informed through the online portal that they had to first obtain a “letter of no objection” from the Ministry of Health.
Dr Banza, who is also the president of the Congolese Medical Association in Kenya, says repeated requests for the letter of no objection went unanswered for months.
He claims the silence persisted until January 7, 2026, when the Ministry issued a statement effectively denying some applicants the clearance required to renew their licences.
“The effect of this decision is to lock us out of practice without due process, reasons or prior consultation,” Dr Banza states in his supporting affidavit.
The doctors further argue that the renewal fees for both practising licences and work permits have allegedly been increased tenfold, making it financially impossible for many of them to comply, especially as some have not been paid salaries by their employers after being forced out of practice.
They also invoke the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, noting that the DRC became a full member state in April 2022 and is therefore entitled to enjoy the benefits and privileges of regional integration, including fair labour mobility and non-discriminatory treatment.
“The Respondents’ actions undermine the spirit of the EAC Treaty and threaten to destabilise healthcare delivery,” the application states.
The doctors warn that unless the court grants urgent relief allowing the renewal of their licences and permits, patients most of whom are Kenyan will be left without critical medical services, while the applicants and their families face severe economic hardship.
They insist no prejudice will be suffered by the government if the orders sought are granted, arguing that the court is their “last bastion of hope” in enforcing their constitutional and professional rights.
The matter is expected to be placed before a judge for urgent directions.
They are represented by prominent lawyer Danstan Omari.
[DNK-International@January 12,2026]
