The Ministry of Health has issued new regulations for beauty spas and aesthetic clinics following concerns over safety and compliance with licensing standards.
A recent assessment by the Ministry revealed that 40 percent of beauty spas in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret lack emergency medical supplies. Additionally, 25 percent of the facilities were found to have inadequate infection prevention and control measures.
The assessment was conducted by the Ministry’s Department of Public Health and Professional Standards in collaboration with various health regulatory agencies. The review focused on aesthetic clinics and beauty spas offering plastic surgery and invasive cosmetic procedures in major cities.
According to Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki, the assessment followed a directive from the Ministry to investigate compliance after the tragic death of a patient at Omnicare Medical Limited. The facility, which was not assessed, remains closed pending legal proceedings.
A total of 26 aesthetic clinics were inspected, with 20 found compliant with licensing and operational standards. Three had applied for registration, while another three were found operating illegally. Additionally, 102 beauty spas were inspected, with seven found offering invasive procedures such as microblading and microneedling without proper registration or qualified personnel.
Muriuki directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to enforce the immediate closure of all unregistered aesthetic clinics operating illegally. She also ordered facilities with inadequate infection prevention and control measures to comply with recommended standards within 30 days.
“Facilities lacking emergency medical provisions must establish and equip emergency trays within 60 days,” she said. Aesthetic clinics without standard operating procedures (SOPs) were also given a 60-day deadline to implement them.
Additionally, the government has banned the advertising of invasive procedures by beauty spas until they have been inspected, registered, and licensed.
“The government is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for invasive cosmetic procedures in beauty and medical spas to enhance protection, safety, and compliance,” Muriuki stated.
