Educationalists have raised concerns over the rise in the number of skilled Kenyan professionals moving to foreign countries in search of opportunities, saying if not checked, it might jeopardize service delivery and hamper national development.
Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said the crisis has reached worrying levels, and has severely compromised various sectors including health, leaving the country facing an acute shortage of professionals.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting at the institution’s Mang’u Campus, Prof Munene said immediate and decisive actions need to be taken on policy change to mitigate the situation.
The VC, who was reacting to the 2025-2026 Budget Economic Survey estimates on the health sector, expressed shock at the revelation that despite the country having a population of 52 million people, it only has 13,340 registered doctors.
This translates to an alarming ratio of approximately one doctor for every 3,000 people, far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation ratio of one doctor per 1,000 people. “This means Kenya requires at least 52,000 doctors to meet the current health demands. This gap is a national emergency,” he stated.
Prof. Munene warned that the country cannot develop if it continues to export its best brains, calling on the government to create favorable working environments and policies that will encourage professionals to stay and serve the nation, including better remuneration and working conditions.
“It’s not just doctors. Engineers, lecturers, and other experts are also leaving. Ironically, some of the greatest institutions in Africa and the developed world are being run by Kenyan professionals. This is something we need to reflect on. We cannot afford to keep losing highly trained individuals who are crucial to our national wellbeing,” he said.
“The wellbeing of citizens is the most crucial thing in every country. If we do not act now, the consequences will be dire, especially for our already overstretched health system,” Prof. Munene emphasized.
The concerns come at a time when youth unemployment remains alarmingly high, driving thousands of graduates to seek better opportunities abroad.
By Muoki Charles
