Mediheal Organ trafficking probe: Witnesses demand private hearings, cite intimidation fears

Several witnesses in the ongoing probe into alleged human organ trafficking in Eldoret have asked to testify in private, citing fear of intimidation by hospitals named in the scandal.

The independent committee investigating the matter is holding public hearings in Uasin Gishu County this week, with Mediheal Hospital, a key facility at the centre of the allegations, named in connection with suspicious kidney transplants.

Committee chairperson Prof Elizabeth Bukusi said Eldoret was allocated four days due to the seriousness of the claims, and assured the public that their safety and privacy would be respected.

“The committee does not anticipate any risks to participants, but if any arise, care will be taken to inform and protect them,” said Prof Bukusi during the second day of hearings at the Eldoret West Market Social Hall.

Some witnesses, speaking anonymously, said they had been pressured by hospitals to withdraw evidence and insisted on giving their testimony privately.

“The matter is very sensitive and I will only give evidence in private,” said one witness after signing a consent form.

The probe was launched by the government after reports of kidney trafficking and unethical transplant practices emerged.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale appointed the team to review the legal and regulatory framework for organ transplants in the country, and to examine ethics, governance, and clinical practices in hospitals offering such services.

Before Eldoret, the committee held a session in Vihiga County. Over the next 18 days, the team plans to visit nine counties, including Bomet, Meru, Kisii, Nakuru, Kisumu, Nairobi and Mombasa.

At the start of the Eldoret hearings, Prof Bukusi urged more people to come forward and clarified that both public and private testimony would be accepted.

“We have provided a phone number and email so people can reach us and we can make appropriate arrangements,” she said.

Mediheal Fertility and Transplant Centre in Eldoret has been mentioned in claims of performing kidney transplants for foreign patients. The hospital has denied the accusations and expressed full support for the investigation.

Founder of Mediheal Group of Hospitals, Dr Swarup Mishra, said the facility was ready to cooperate with the committee.

Mediheal’s lawyer, Katwa Kigen, said, “We will provide all the material needed for the committee to review the transplants conducted at Mediheal.” He added that the hospital had already submitted relevant documents and would continue to participate fully in the hearings.

Dr Mishra told the committee that the hospital had conducted 476 kidney transplants since 2018, with 371 done for Kenyans and 105 for foreigners. He said the mortality rate remained below 10 per cent and noted that local patients received discounted services as part of the hospital’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• Health
• organ trafficking
• kidney organ trade
• Mediheal Fertility and Transplant Centre in Eldoret
• Mediheal kidney trafficking
• organ transplant scandal
• kidney organ transplant scandal
• Mediheal Organ trafficking probe: Witnesses demand private hearings
• cite intimidation fears

According to Dr Mishra, the hospital charges 35,000 US dollars (Sh4.5 million) for foreign patients and 25,000 US dollars (Sh3.2 million) for Africans. He explained that there are no fixed price regulations for transplants, but their procedures are regularly audited by the government and quality control bodies.

Despite being under scrutiny, the hospital has maintained its commitment to transparency.

“We have made our position clear and submitted all documents regarding kidney transplants. Our appearance today confirms our continued commitment to supporting the committee’s work,” Kigen said.

The committee is expected to present its final report to the Health Cabinet Secretary by July 22.