New Legislation Seeks to Strengthen Patient Rights

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has introduced a groundbreaking Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, 2025, aimed at elevating patient protection and restoring trust in the healthcare system. The Bill, which recently secured Cabinet approval, proposes the creation of an independent Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Authority to license, inspect, and accredit health facilities — from hospitals and clinics to laboratories and ambulance services.
Key provisions in the Bill enshrine patients’ rights in law: the draft legislation guarantees the right to safe and quality care, timely treatment, informed consent, and dignified and equitable service. It also mandates that health facilities develop and submit quality‑improvement plans, and establishes protocols to hold providers accountable through a dedicated tribunal.
To enforce these standards, the Bill proposes heavy penalties for non‑compliance: health facilities that operate without proper licensing or deliver substandard care could face fines of up to KSh 50 million or even jail terms for serious violations. The Cabinet has emphasized that this measure is intended to curb rogue operations and ensure that only qualified professionals deliver care.
The proposed law has sparked mixed reactions. Patient advocates welcome the stronger legal protections, but health worker unions have raised concerns that it duplicates existing regulations and might sideline professional bodies. As the Bill proceeds through Parliament, it promises to reshape the legal landscape for patient safety — potentially making Kenya a regional model for healthcare accountability and quality.