Mediheal kidney donors volunteer to testify as DCI takes over organ trafficking probe

Kenyans said to have received payment for donating their kidneys have volunteered to testify before the teams investigating Mediheal Hospital, with the hospital’s legal counsel assuring the public that all records will be available for review to prove there was no wrongdoing.

According to the counsel, the donors are willing to confirm they were not paid, and the hospital is ready to release its patient files to address any concerns.

Conrad Maloba, the lead lawyer representing the hospital, said the donors are prepared to appear before both the National Assembly Committee on Health and a task force appointed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. He said the hospital has nothing to hide.

“We’re asking the government, come and audit us. The patients are there, we have the records. The patients are willing to come and testify,” Maloba told journalists on Tuesday.

“The teams are looking at 372 to 400 cases. Each of these files is available. The audit is a scientific process, meaning the answers will be accurate through scientific precision. So, we are not hiding anything.”

He also confirmed that the hospital, through Conrad Law Advocates, intends to submit all patient files and affidavits showing that the donors consented voluntarily.

“We have those affidavits and they will be open to the public,” he said.

Maloba added that of the 372 kidney transplants carried out at Mediheal’s Eldoret branch between 2018 and 2023, only about 10 complaints had been received.

“With respect to the process of the kidney transplant, I can confirm that we have records of a 99.9 per cent success rate. I can confirm that right here,” he said.

However, he acknowledged existing gaps in the legal framework governing organ transplants in Kenya.

“It’s true. Certain regulations are not in place, but that is not on us. That is on the legislature,” Maloba said.

“This audit process, by the way, will also result in recommendations on how patient-donor relationships are undertaken, during organ transport.”

DCI probe

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has formally taken over the probe into the alleged human organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital.

Other Topics To Read

• Health
• organ trafficking
• organ transplant
• kidney organ trade
• Mediheal Hospital
• Mediheal Fertility and Transplant Centre in Eldoret
• Mediheal Group of Hospitals
• llegal kidney transplants
• Mediheal kidney donors volunteer to testify as DCI takes over organ trafficking probe
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In a statement on Tuesday, the DCI said its Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) will lead the investigation to harmonise reports from different police stations across the North Rift region. While the number of people affected remains unclear, the DCI said preliminary statements have already been recorded.

“The Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) of the DCI has taken over for investigation, the case where Mediheal Hospital is implicated in the trafficking of human organs harvested at its Fertility and Transplant Centre in Eldoret,” the DCI said.

“TOCU takes over to harmonise all reports and statements previously recorded, record fresh statements from victims, suspects and anyone with relevant information, as well as employ forensic analysis for a painstaking probe.”

The DCI appealed to any person with relevant information to come forward.

“Any persons (victims or otherwise) who may have information that could help in the highlighted matter are, therefore, called upon to record their statements with the Head of TOCU at the offices held at DCI Headquarters, Block B,” it added.

“The DCI remains committed to conducting investigations with utmost professionalism, to deliver timely justice to both victims and perpetrators of crime.”

The organ trafficking claims at Mediheal have triggered concern among medical experts and human rights groups. The issue gained momentum after a multidisciplinary fact-finding team, appointed by the Ministry of Health, launched investigations following a letter from the global Transplantation Society dated July 20, 2023.

The Society flagged an unusual rise in kidney transplants involving Israeli nationals in Kenya and warned of a possible international syndicate bypassing local transplant laws.

The task force revealed that Mediheal, a level 5 private facility, had performed 372 transplants over five years, primarily for patients from Kenya and neighbouring countries, with others coming from as far as Israel, Japan, the USA, Australia and the UK.

A 16-page report compiled by the initial audit team led by Dr. Evelynn Chege, who has since been suspended, showed that all donors had presented affidavits and appeared before the hospital’s ethics committee, asserting that the donations were voluntary and without compensation. The committee noted that it did not find sufficient evidence of organ trafficking but did flag suspicious activity.

“In our opinion, the committee thinks there is suspicious activity for trafficking, but there is insufficient evidence,” the report stated.

It also highlighted that one name, “Yusufu,” appeared in several foreign patients’ files as next of kin, prompting further investigation into the connections between foreign donors and recipients.

The team was especially concerned about the high number of foreign patients seeking kidney transplants in Kenya. Among the recipients were 37 Israelis, eight Congolese, eight Ugandans, six Burundians, and several South Sudanese nationals. The report questioned the legitimacy of the explanations provided for their travel to Kenya for treatment.

“We must be careful to protect vulnerable donors who may be coerced or paid to give away a kidney. All measures, including a robust legislative and regulatory framework, must be in place, with standardisation of consent to donate and receive the kidneys,” the report recommended.

It also called on the Ministry of Health to fast-track a Bill and policy to regulate organ transplants in Kenya.

However, the integrity of the initial report came into question on Monday when Dr. Philip Cheptinga, a nephrologist who served on the audit team, alleged that the document had been doctored to favour Mediheal. He claimed that some donors listed as foreigners, including those from Azerbaijan, were in fact local youths from Uasin Gishu and Kakamega who were paid for their organs.

Following the controversy, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale suspended both Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, the acting head of the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service (KBTTS), and Dr. Evelynn Chege, who chaired the probe team.

President William Ruto also suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra, the Mediheal Hospital founder and former Kesses MP, from his role as chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute.