Dr. Nayana Patel, a fertility specialist from India, has recently opened a new clinic in Nairobi called the Nulife Advanced Fertility Centre. This move has caused widespread concern due to her controversial history in India, where she was accused of exploiting poor women through commercial surrogacy.
Dr. Patel first gained attention in 2004 after helping a 55-year-old woman deliver twins, but her rise to fame was followed by serious ethical questions. Critics say she turned surrogacy into a profit-making venture, running what some described as a “baby-making factory” with over 100 surrogate mothers housed in dormitories. Her methods eventually led Indian authorities to ban commercial surrogacy, prompting her to seek opportunities in countries with looser regulations.
Lynn Ngugi, a popular Kenyan media personality, was among the first to raise the alarm on social media. She shared photos of the clinic’s launch event, where a cake with the label “IVF Launch” was displayed alongside the clinic’s branding.
In her post, she warned that Kenya was turning into a dumping site for controversial foreign practitioners. Her remarks were quickly echoed by many online, with Kenyans questioning how someone banned from practicing in India could be allowed to open a clinic in Nairobi.
Some users feared that Kenya could now become a hub for unethical medical practices targeting poor women, just as it had happened in India under Dr. Patel’s watch.
According to reports, attempts to get clear answers from the Nulife clinic about its licensing and regulatory status have been unsuccessful. This lack of transparency has only increased public suspicion.
Dr. Davji Atellah, the Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union, expressed serious concerns about how foreign doctors are vetted before they are allowed to operate.
He emphasized the need for stronger oversight to avoid exposing Kenyans to questionable practices. Even more alarming was the statement from Dr. Kireki Omanwa, the President of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, who confirmed that Dr. Patel is not registered to practice in Kenya, branding her activities as illegal and calling for immediate action.
Dr. Patel’s track record includes at least six malpractice cases in India and accusations of commodifying the female body for wealthy clients from abroad.
Her shift to Kenya is being seen as a way to continue operations that are no longer allowed in her home country. With Kenya’s regulations around fertility treatments still unclear, there is a growing risk that the country may become a new frontier for medical exploitation.
The warning signs are all there, and unless swift action is taken by health authorities, Kenyan women could soon face the same exploitation that Indian women once endured.
The public reaction reflects a deep concern that Kenya’s healthcare system may be open to abuse, especially when regulatory bodies fail to enforce strict standards. Dr. Patel’s clinic might offer advanced fertility services, but the cost of ignoring ethical questions could be far too high.
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