The two main unions representing doctors in Kenya are piling pressure on the government to stop sending doctors to Cuba for training.

It follows the death of a Kenyan doctor in the country under circumstances that are still unclear.

Kenyan newspapers reported that Dr Hamisi Ali Juma allegedly took his own life shortly before he was to return to home to be with his wife and eight-month-old baby.

Dr Juma, who was in his mid-30s, was undertaking a postgraduate diploma training in family medicine in Cuba after the Kenyan government sponsored 50 young doctors to receive specialised training in the capital, Havana, last year.

In a statement, the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) said it was grieving the "untimely loss of this young promising life".

"Since our colleagues were shipped off to Cuba, we have heard numerous complaints from them on the treatment they have been receiving from, among others, representatives of our government," said KMA President Jacqueine Kitulu.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists' Union said Dr Juma had reached out and expressed his frustration over the manner in which the government had "withheld or completely failed to pay their living expenses in a foreign country".

It said the government should train doctors locally - and end its deal with Cuba.

A fortnight ago doctors wrote to Kenya's parliament on the challenges faced in Cuba.

The Kenyan embassy in Cuba and the police are investigating the doctor's death.

Last year, Kenya's government brought in about 100 Cuban doctors to plug a shortage of specialist doctors, but this was met with resistance from local doctors who said the Cubans were receiving preferential treatment and earning huge perks.

Kenya's privately owned Daily Nation newspaper reported at the time that the Cuban doctors were to earn $8,000 (£6,000) a month, more than some senior government officials.