The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), which licenses doctors, has condemned faith-based healing claims made by medics at a recent Prophet Owuor crusade in Nakuru. The medics had made claims of cure of various persons through divine intervention.
The regulator has raised serious concerns, saying their claims of miraculous healing are unverified. It also indicated that it is investigating the incident and vowed action once the probe is complete.
To the attendants and viewers, the December 30-31 crusade was a monumental occasion as persons who had chronic diseases or had debilitating disabilities were declared fit. However, to KMPDC, the lack of scientific evidence is perturbing.
In a statement issued on Saturday, and which was endorsed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale who posted it on X, the regulator lashed out at the utterances the doctors made in the name of conforming cure.
“The KMPDC has taken note of recent media reports and public discourse concerning claims of faith-based healing for serious medical conditions, including HIV/Aids, cancer, blindness, deafness, muteness and physical disabilities. These claims, attributed to certain medical practitioners during a religious crusade in Nakuru, have raised profound concerns regarding public health safety and professional ethics,” read the statement signed by KMPDC chief executive David Kariuki.
“All medical treatments and interventions must be grounded in scientific evidence, rigorous testing, and regulatory approval. Claims of healing for chronic or life-threatening conditions, such as HIV/Aids or cancer, require verifiable medical documentation and cannot be accepted without independent verification by qualified healthcare professionals,” noted the statement.
KMPDC warned the public that whereas faith plays an important role in their lives, relying solely on “unverified healing methods” poses “grave risks”.
In what has become an annual tradition, Prophet Owuor caused major ripples in Nakuru City during the Menengai 8 Revival Meeting, drawing multitudes to the Menengai Grounds.
The crusade, dubbed the “Grand Mega Healing Service”, saw many disabled people head there with their crutches, hoping for healing, as thousands more who were battling internal diseases also thronged the area in the hope of a cure.
