Taskforce recommends criminal probe against Mediheal founder Dr Mishra over kidney transplant scandal

The 13-member independent investigative committee probing allegations of organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret has recommended immediate criminal investigations against the hospital’s founder, Dr Swarup Mishra, over alleged involvement in organ trafficking linked to a kidney transplant scandal at the Eldoret-based hospital.

In a damning 314-page report submitted to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday, the committee exposed massive irregularities pointing to an international organ harvesting network.

The report, covering findings from a three-month probe, detailed that Mediheal Hospital handled 417 donors and 340 recipients between 2018 and March 2025, with men accounting for 77 per cent of the cases.

The data shows that 44 per cent of the donors were Kenyan nationals, while 16.8 per cent were non-Kenyans. Notably, 38.9 per cent of donors had undocumented or unknown nationalities, with 60 donors failing to disclose their countries of origin.

Among foreign donors identified, Burundi accounted for 1.54 per cent, Ethiopia 1.10 per cent, Congo and Germany each 0.88 per cent, while the United States of America contributed 0.66 per cent.

The investigative team, chaired by Prof Elizabeth Bukusi of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), also raised concerns over possible manipulation of donor records, citing irregularities in signatures and questionable classifications of some patients as “mutual friends”.

One surgeon and an anesthesiologist were found to have operated on 24 patients within just 14 days, raising concerns over work overload, documentation lapses and patient safety risks.

In its recommendations, the committee called for “immediate criminal investigations targeting Dr Mishra, Dr A. S. Murthy (a nephrologist at Mediheal), Dr Sananda Bag (urologist and transplant surgeon), and Dr. Vijay Kumar (anesthesiologist) for possible violations of national transplant laws and ethical standards.”

Dr Murthy, currently the hospital’s nephrologist, was singled out for allegedly running a “one-man show” in a procedure that ordinarily requires a multidisciplinary team approach.

Further, the committee urged CS Duale to maintain the suspension of Mediheal Hospital until all investigations are concluded.

It also recommended investigations into the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) for possible regulatory failure and potential criminal collusion due to its repeated inaction despite multiple reports of malpractice at Mediheal.

“The report contains comprehensive findings and recommendations aimed at strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing transparency, and preventing malpractice in transplant services,” Duale said while receiving the report.

He assured that the ministry had already begun a technical review of the findings and promised full implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

“I want to assure you that the report will not find itself on the shelves. It will be implemented. We will give it the attention it deserves. I will take it to Parliament, I will take it to Cabinet, and it’s for the people of Kenya to read that report,” Duale said.

The Mediheal kidney transplant scandal came to light a few months ago, triggering public outcry and prompting the formation of the independent investigative committee through Gazette Notice No. 78 on April 23, 2025.

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In a closed-door session held on June 9, Mediheal Hospital’s management, led by lawyer Katwa Kigen, appeared before the committee in Eldoret.

“We had already submitted our documents and position regarding kidney transplants. Today, we also appeared to demonstrate our full willingness to cooperate in this matter,” Kigen said.

He added that Mediheal had contributed to discussions on proposed legislation aimed at regulating organ and tissue transplant services in Kenya.

“Our management remains available to clarify any issues raised by the committee or any investigating body,” Kigen told reporters after the session.

The committee’s report not only identified legal gaps but also recommended reforms in ethical and moral oversight in the country’s kidney transplant services, with CS Duale saying the findings would help overhaul the sector comprehensively.