KMA Threatens Nationwide Hospital Shutdown Over Double Taxation Dispute
Dr. Ibrahim Matende addressing the media on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at KMA hall Mombasa The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has issued a stern warning to all 47 counties over what it terms as "double taxation" of private hospitals through the imposition of Single Business Permits (SBP). Speaking at a press conference, KMA President Dr. Simon Kigondu decried the continued levies as illegal and unsustainable, threatening to shut down private hospitals nationwide if the issue is not resolved within two weeks. Dr. Kigondo revealed that several counties had previously been barred by courts from collecting SBPs from private healthcare providers. Notable cases in Laikipia, Kisii, and Nairobi resulted in rulings in favor of private hospitals, arguing that they already pay statutory levies to the Kenya Medical Pharmacists and Dentists Commission, a government body. However, Mombasa County remains a contentious outlier. The Mombasa High Court recently upheld the county’s right t...