Police have arrested two people in Nairobi accused of operating an unlicensed medical facility in Kawangware.
The crackdown, led by detectives and medical regulators, forms part of a nationwide effort to shut down illegal clinics and protect the public from unqualified practitioners.
The detectives apprehended the suspects on Wednesday in Kawangware, an informal settlement within Dagoretti, following intelligence-led investigations into the operation of illegal clinics in the area.
Those arrested were identified as Olima Bramwel Douglas, the owner of Dowamed Medicare Centre, and Francisca Otieno Omondi, described as an accomplice.
According to investigators, the facility was operating without a valid licence, while one of the suspects was allegedly practising in an unlicensed medical institution.
The arrests were carried out in the Congo area of Kawangware, a neighbourhood that has in recent years seen a rise in informal health facilities, many operating outside regulatory oversight.
Authorities say such facilities pose serious risks to public health, particularly in densely populated urban areas where access to affordable healthcare remains a challenge.
Following their arrest, the two suspects were taken into custody and are undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment in court.
Investigators say they will be charged with operating an unlicensed health institution, offences provided for under Section 15(1) and Section 22(5) of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act, Cap 253 of the Laws of Kenya.
Under Kenyan law, all medical facilities and practitioners are required to be registered and licensed by the relevant regulatory bodies.
The legislation is designed to ensure minimum standards of care, patient safety, and professional accountability.
Operating outside this framework is a criminal offence and can attract heavy penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the operation forms part of a broader nationwide crackdown aimed at dismantling illegal health facilities and curbing the activities of unqualified or unregistered practitioners.
The agency noted that the proliferation of such facilities has been driven by high demand for healthcare services, coupled with limited enforcement in some areas.
Working in collaboration with the KMPDC, the DCI said it is committed to protecting members of the public from quack medical practitioners.
Officials argue that unlicensed facilities often lack qualified staff, proper equipment, and basic safety standards, exposing patients to misdiagnosis, unsafe procedures, and, in some cases, loss of life.
The latest arrests come amid growing concern from regulators about the scale of illegal medical practice across the country.
Urban informal settlements and peri-urban areas have been identified as hotspots, where unscrupulous operators exploit gaps in awareness and enforcement.
Authorities are now urging members of the public to play a more active role in identifying and reporting suspicious health facilities.
The DCI has encouraged Kenyans to share information anonymously through its toll-free hotline or WhatsApp platform, as part of efforts to widen surveillance and enforcement.
Officials say public cooperation is critical to sustaining the crackdown, noting that many illegal facilities continue to operate discreetly within residential areas.
By reporting suspected cases, residents can help prevent harm and support efforts to uphold professional standards in the health sector.
As investigations continue, the authorities have reiterated their commitment to sustained operations across the country, warning that more arrests are likely as enforcement teams move to shut down unlicensed facilities and hold offenders accountable.
The case is expected to be mentioned in court once processing is complete, as the government seeks to send a clear signal that illegal medical practice will not be tolerated.
