NAIROBI, Kenya, May 9 – The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has strongly condemned what it described as the growing trend of politicians and public figures staging photo shoots, live broadcasts, and media events inside hospitals, warning that the practice constitutes a serious violation of patient privacy and dignity.
In a statement, the doctors’ umbrella body accused some leaders and members of the public of turning healthcare facilities into platforms for political publicity and personal promotion at the expense of vulnerable patients.
“Filming or photographing in wards, corridors and other patient-facing areas constitutes a serious breach of patients’ legal rights, ethical protections and fundamental human dignity,” the association said.
“Such actions are neither advocacy nor service they are exploitative practices that undermine the rights to privacy, confidentiality and respectful care.”
The association said hospitals and clinical workspaces should be treated with dignity and respect, adding that patients should never be used as political props or content for publicity campaigns.
KMA argued that the trend violates several legal and ethical frameworks, including Articles 28 and 31 of the Constitution, which guarantee the rights to dignity and privacy.
The association further cited the Data Protection Act of 2019, which classifies health information as sensitive personal data, warning that recording or broadcasting patients without informed consent could attract legal action from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
According to the doctors’ body, the Health Act of 2017 also guarantees confidentiality, privacy and dignified treatment for all patients receiving medical care.
KMA further pointed to professional medical ethics under the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) Code of Professional Conduct and the World Medical Association Declaration of Geneva, saying both frameworks prohibit political interference in patient-doctor relationships.
The association expressed concern that economically disadvantaged patients in public hospitals are particularly vulnerable because many are unaware of their rights and may feel powerless to object when photographed or filmed.
“Their vulnerability makes our obligation to protect them greater, not lesser,” the statement read.
KMA has now demanded an immediate end to all political media activities within patient-facing areas of health facilities.
The association also called on hospital administrators to enforce strict no-filming policies, ensure informed consent is obtained before any photography involving patients, and empower staff to stop any visitor who compromises patient dignity regardless of their social or political status.
At the same time, KMA urged the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC) to issue formal guidelines declaring political filming in clinical settings as professional misconduct and investigate reported incidents.
The association further appealed to the office of the data commissioner to investigate cases already circulating in the public domain and publish clear enforcement guidelines on patient data protection in healthcare facilities.
KMA also wants both national and county governments to enact laws criminalising the filming or broadcasting of patients without documented informed consent.
Addressing healthcare workers directly, the association said medical practitioners have both a right and a duty to shield patients from political intrusion and privacy violations.
“You are empowered to decline access to clinical spaces. Your patients’ rights come first,” the statement said.
The association maintained that while it supports legitimate political advocacy aimed at improving healthcare funding and policy, hospitals should never be turned into campaign venues.
“Patients are not props, hospital wards are not campaign venues, and human suffering is not content,” KMA stated.