Following a thorough investigation triggered by a complaint from a Nairobi-based American journalist, the COFEK has has since confirmed that Este Medical Kenya Limited operates in full compliance with Kenya’s medical licensing framework.
The complaint has since been retracted by the complainant herself, Jacclyn Ashly Chiodini, who confirmed an amicable resolution with the facility.
Background
Last week, COFEK received a formal complaint from Ms. Jacclyn Chiodini, a Nairobi-based American journalist, alleging that Este Medical Kenya Limited — a multi-specialty aesthetic and medical facility — did not have a licensed dermatologist on its roster.
The complaint, submitted in line with COFEK’s open-door consumer protection mandate under the Consumer Protection Act, 2012 was accepted and treated with the seriousness it deserved.
COFEK promptly opened an investigation, sought documentation from the facility, collected testimonials on the record, and conducted an independent verification of the facility’s compliance status with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
COFEK Findings
COFEK’s investigation has conclusively established the following facts:
1. Este Medical Kenya Limited employs a KMPDC board-certified Dermatologist and Venereologist of Jordanian nationality, holding an MD (Jordan, 2013) and MS in Dermatology and Venerology (Jordan, 2018).
2. She was issued a Temporary Specialist Practice Licence (No. 004415) by KMPDC on 9th January 2025, valid through 31st December 2025, pursuant to Section 12 of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act, Cap 253 Laws of Kenya.
3. Renewal of the medical licence for 2026 was further confirmed by the Ministry of Health’s Office of the Cabinet Secretary (Ref. No. MOH/CS/023/2026, dated 13th January 2026), signed by Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Health — confirming no objection to renewal and validity for the full year 2026.
4. The registration number C0001207 has been active since 25th January 2022, confined to clinical practice in Dermatology at Este Medical Kenya Limited — in full compliance with KMPDC’s workstation conditions.
Staffing Complement
COFEK’s investigation further confirmed the following staffing at the facility:
|
Role |
Details |
|
General Practitioner |
1 (licensed, on-site clinical services) |
|
Dentist |
1 (licensed, dental services) |
|
Dermatologist |
1 (KMPDC-licensed, 2025 & 2026) |
|
Aesthetic Practitioners |
4 (certified aesthetic services) |
Amicable Resolution
In a subsequent communication to COFEK, the complainant, Ms. Chiodini, voluntarily withdrew the complaint and confirmed that the dispute had been resolved between the parties. Her communication to COFEK read in material part:
“I am writing to inform you that Este Medical Kenya Limited and I have amicably resolved the conflict that initially gave rise to my complaint to COFEK. After sitting down together and discussing the matter openly, we concluded that misunderstandings existed on both sides, and we have chosen to resolve everything privately between ourselves.”
COFEK accepts the complainant’s retraction.
On the strength of the documentary evidence gathered — including the KMPDC Temporary Specialist Practice Licence and the Ministry of Health’s no-objection letter for 2026 renewal — COFEK finds that the original allegations against Este Medical Kenya Limited were false and without basis in fact.
COFEK’s Position
COFEK reiterates that its mandate is the protection of genuine consumer interests based on verified facts.
Where complaints are found to be false, COFEK is equally duty-bound to publicly clear the name of the affected person or institution. Este Medical Kenya Limited is, on the available evidence, a duly constituted medical facility operating lawfully under Kenya’s regulatory framework.
COFEK takes this opportunity to strongly urge all media houses, bloggers, influencers, and online platforms that may have carried or amplified the original erroneous story to update their publications immediately, in the interest of accuracy and fairness.
Continuing to publish the retracted allegations without the corrections risks defaming a compliant business and misleading the public. It’s legally actionable.
COFEK regrets that the facility was subjected to reputational harm on account of an allegation that has since been conclusively disproved.
We commend Este Medical Kenya Limited for its professional conduct throughout the investigative process and for engaging constructively with the complainant.
COFEK commits to work closely with the management of Este Medical Kenya to forestall any future sensational reporting that on paper presents a prima facie case
