A high-stakes parliamentary investigation into alleged illegal organ harvesting and trafficking at Mediheal Group of Hospitals began Thursday, following explosive claims that the facility engaged in unethical kidney transplants, exploiting vulnerable Kenyans for profit.
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health is leading the 90-day probe, which was ordered by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale after reports surfaced that kidneys were being harvested from poor donors for as little as Sh294,000 ($2,000) and sold abroad for up to Sh3.2 million ($22,000).
13-Member Task Force to Investigate “Modern-Day Slavery”
A special 13-member task force, chaired by renowned medical ethicist Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi, has been formed to scrutinize:
Compliance with Kenya’s Human Tissue Act in all transplant facilities.
Possible organ commercialization and coercion of donors.
Mediheal’s alleged role in illegal kidney trade, including claims of forged consent documents and underpaid donors.
The team will also interview kidney donors, recipients, doctors, and brokers involved in transplants over the past five years.
“They Took My Kidney and Disappeared” – Victims Speak Out
Preliminary reports suggest that low-income Kenyans, including unemployed youth and slum dwellers, were lured with promises of quick cash, only to have their kidneys removed under questionable circumstances. Some claim they were not fully informed about the risks, while others say they were abandoned without proper post-operative care.
One alleged victim, John Mwangi (32), “I was promised Sh300,000 for my kidney, but after the surgery, they only gave me Sh100,000. Now I can’t do hard labor, and no one is helping me.”
Mediheal Denies Wrongdoing, Calls Allegations “Baseless”
Mediheal Hospital, a leading private health facility with branches in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret, has strongly denied any involvement in organ trafficking. In a statement, the hospital said:
“We adhere to the highest ethical standards. All transplants are conducted legally with proper donor consent. We welcome the inquiry to clear our name.”
However, medical insiders claim the hospital’s lucrative transplant program—which attracts foreign patients—relied on exploitative practices, including:
Fake “family donor” documents to bypass legal restrictions.
Brokers recruiting desperate Kenyans from informal settlements.
Fast-tracked approvals for foreign recipients, mainly from Asia and the Middle East.
Global Organ Black Market Under Scrutiny
Kenya has long been flagged as a hotspot in the global organ trade, where impoverished donors are exploited for wealthy recipients. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 10% of all organ transplants worldwide involve illegal trafficking.
If proven, the allegations could lead to:
Criminal charges against Mediheal officials and doctors.
Stricter regulations on organ transplants in Kenya.
International sanctions if evidence shows cross-border trafficking.
What Happens Next?
The parliamentary committee will hold public hearings starting next week.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) may pursue arrests if evidence of fraud or coercion emerges.
International partners, including Interpol, could join the probe if foreign recipients are implicated.
“This Is a Test for Kenya’s Health System” – CS Duale
Health CS Aden Duale vowed that the government will “leave no stone unturned.”
“If true, these allegations represent modern-day slavery. We will punish those responsible and ensure such abuses never happen again.”
As the inquiry unfolds, Kenyans are demanding justice for victims and an end to what some call “organized crime.”
