Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council CEO David Kariuki/ KMPDC)
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has directed all ambulance owners and operators providing emergency medical services to register with the council by July 17, 2026, warning that failure to comply could attract regulatory action.
In a public notice, the council said ambulance registration remains open and is being conducted through the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Portal pursuant to the Health Act and the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act.
KMPDC said the requirement applies to all ambulances providing emergency medical services across the country.
The council explained that the registration exercise is intended to ensure compliance with the legal and regulatory framework governing emergency medical services in Kenya..
It is also intended to enhance access to quality pre-hospital healthcare and support the operationalisation of the emergency medical services component under the Social Health Authority's Emergency, Critical Care and Chronic Illness Fund.
Ambulance owners and operators have been advised to submit their applications through the EMS portal before the July 17 deadline.
"Failure to register within the stipulated period may attract regulatory action in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations," KMPDC cautioned.
The council said it remains committed to ensuring quality, safe and accessible emergency medical services for all Kenyans.
The registration directive comes as KMPDC also announced the publication of its updated 2026 register of licensed medical practitioners, dental practitioners, health facilities and ambulances operating in the country.
In a notice, KMPDC chief executive officer David Kariuki reminded healthcare providers that operating without the required licences is a criminal offence under the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act.
"Section 22 (1) of CAP 253 states that a person practicing as a medical or dental practitioner without being duly licensed commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both," Kariuki said.
He added that the law also prohibits operating an unlicensed health institution.
"CAP 253 also states that a person who uses a premise as a health institution which premises is not licensed as a health institution commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both," he said.
Kariuki said the publication of the 2026 register is part of the council's efforts to enforce compliance with licensing requirements and promote accountability within the health sector.
Members of the public and stakeholders can verify licensing status through the council's online register at https://registers.kmpdc.go.ke.
The council urged healthcare providers and ambulance operators who are yet to regularise their licences or registrations to do so within the stipulated timelines to avoid enforcement action.
