This opinion and analysis article examines the growing use of AI-generated deepfake doctors on social media platforms in Kenya and how they are being used to spread health misinformation and sell questionable supplements.

The author recounts encountering a TikTok video featuring what appeared to be a medical professional discussing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), only to later realise that the doctor was AI-generated.Despite being fake, many viewers trusted the content, shared personal experiences, and were directed to purchase health products.

The article argues that advances in generative AI have made it easier and cheaper for scammers to create convincing fake videos that imitate medical experts.

As deepfake technology improves, it is becoming increasingly difficult for ordinary users to distinguish genuine medical advice from fabricated content.

The author notes that Kenya's current legal framework does not fully address these emerging risks, although the proposed Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 seeks to regulate AI-generated misinformation through measures such as mandatory labelling.Beyond technology and regulation, the analysis links the popularity of deepfake doctors to deeper problems within Kenya's healthcare system.

Limited access to affordable healthcare, high out-of-pocket medical costs, concerns about public health institutions, and perceptions of medical negligence have weakened public trust.This environment creates fertile ground for fake experts who promise cheap and simple solutions.The article further connects the trend to the wider global rise of anti-science and anti-medicine movements online.

It argues that deepfake doctors are not merely a result of individual gullibility but are also driven by digital platforms that profit from engagement.The author concludes that stronger regulation alone will not solve the problem.

Kenya must also improve healthcare access, rebuild trust in public health institutions, and hold technology platforms accountable for the spread of harmful misinformation.