MPs seek public views in Mediheal kidney transplant probe

The Health Committee of the National Assembly has invited members of the public to submit information and evidence regarding suspected irregularities in kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret. This forms part of an expanding investigation into potential human trafficking and medical malpractice.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, the committee called for memoranda to be submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly by May 9, 2025.

The committee stated it had taken note of growing public concern and serious allegations involving Mediheal Group of Hospitals, a prominent private healthcare provider known for conducting organ transplants.

“The committee has noted with concern the public outcry and issues raised concerning kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Group of Hospitals, a prominent private healthcare provider that offers specialised services, including organ transplants. The issues raised include allegations of malpractice and ethical breaches in the provision of kidney transplant services. Therefore, the Committee has resolved to conduct a public inquiry into the concerns and to make recommendations to the House,” the official statement read.

The inquiry seeks to determine whether transplant procedures at the facility comply with Kenya’s legal and ethical standards. It will also examine the involvement of foreign nationals in transplant surgeries and assess the effectiveness of the country’s medical regulatory frameworks.

Seme MP James Nyikal, Chair of the Health Committee, said the inquiry could lead to legal and policy reforms to safeguard public health and uphold the integrity of the medical profession.

“This is a serious matter that touches on the dignity of life and the reputation of Kenya’s medical profession. We intend to get to the bottom of it,” said Dr Nyikal.

He said the committee would ask critical questions, including whether Mediheal adhered to the Health Act and the Human Tissue Act, and whether there is evidence of the commercialisation of organ donations.

“Were the procedures at Mediheal in line with the Health Act and Human Tissue Act? Was there evidence of organ commercialisation? Were donors fully informed, or were they deceived or coerced into donating?”

The committee will also investigate whether immigration and licensing requirements were followed for foreign doctors, and whether donor-recipient relationships, particularly involving foreign nationals, were properly vetted.

“Did Mediheal conduct due diligence in verifying the relationships between donors and recipients, especially where foreign nationals were involved?” Dr Nyikal posed.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is conducting a parallel inquiry, led by a 13-member team appointed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. This follows an investigative media exposé that linked the facility to a suspected global organ trafficking network.

The exposé alleged that the hospital could be at the centre of a scheme in which organs are sold to international patients for large sums, while some local donors receive only a fraction of the payment.

According to the report, patients, mainly from Germany, paid up to $200,000 (approximately Sh25.9 million) for kidney transplants. In one case, a young Kenyan man allegedly received only $4,000 (around Sh518,000) for donating a kidney under dubious circumstances.

The alleged donor claimed he was introduced to a middleman, taken to the hospital, and asked to sign documents written in a language he did not understand.

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• Ministry of Health
• kidney transplant
• Mediheal Hospital
• MPs seek public views in Mediheal kidney transplant probe
• National

Mediheal Hospital has denied the allegations. In an interview with Spice FM on April 16, the hospital’s Vice President, Maryline Limo, stated that the facility does not engage in donor recruitment.

“We want to make it absolutely clear that the patients come with their own donors to the facility. The hospital is not involved in the sourcing and selection of donors,” she said.

Limo acknowledged that while patients are expected to bring their own donors, it is difficult for the hospital to independently verify those relationships. She added that Mediheal relies on affidavits submitted by patients and donors.

In a separate response, Mediheal Group founder Swarup Mishra also dismissed the accusations, insisting that the hospital only offers medical services and operates strictly within the law.

“We are not involved in any trafficking, we are not involved in any syndicate, and we are not involved in any criminal enterprise related to any issue of kidney transplants. All that Mediheal does is to provide medical services,” said Mediheal Hospital lawyer Katwa Kigen.