By Regan Oluoch
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has suspended kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals in Eldoret, pending ongoing investigations into the facility’s transplant activities.
According to the Ministry of Health, the decision follows concerns surrounding hundreds of kidney transplant procedures, reported at 372 cases, which are currently under review. The Ministry has not publicly disclosed detailed findings, stating that investigations are ongoing.
Two Ministry of Health officials have also been suspended to facilitate the probe, according to official sources.
The suspension has come amid public concern and ongoing scrutiny regarding the regulation of kidney transplant procedures in the country.
Various allegations circulating in public discourse and court filings have raised concerns about whether some transplant procedures may have involved financial inducement of donors through intermediaries. These claims have not been proven in court and remain subject to investigation.
Health authorities and law enforcement agencies have not confirmed any findings of organ trafficking.
One of the cases referenced in ongoing discussions involves Ayub Kanyi Nyamu, who has filed court claims relating to a kidney transplant conducted in 2019 at Mediheal Group of Hospitals.
In court filings, Kanyi alleges that he was promised payment of approximately Ksh 1.5 million in connection with the procedure. He claims that the payment was not made as agreed.
The hospital, in its response, has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the procedure was conducted as a lawful organ donation. According to the hospital’s position, the kidney was donated to a patient identified as a relative of the recipient, and all required consent and documentation were obtained prior to the procedure.
The hospital further maintains that standard consent forms signed prior to surgery indicate that no financial compensation was guaranteed for the procedure.
The matter was previously brought to court by human rights activist Francis Owino.
In its ruling, the High Court noted that the matter had been referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further inquiry. The court also observed that the complainant did not fully cooperate with investigators during the process.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled that the petitioner had not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that investigative agencies failed to act on the complaint.
The court further reiterated that the sale of human organs is prohibited under Kenyan law.
The case has contributed to renewed public debate regarding the regulation of organ transplantation in Kenya, particularly concerns about oversight, consent procedures, and the potential vulnerability of economically disadvantaged individuals in medical arrangements involving organ donation.
Authorities have stated that investigations into transplant practices are ongoing, and any conclusions will depend on the outcome of official inquiries.
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