In response to escalating concerns over unethical organ transplant practices, particularly at Mediheal Group of Hospitals, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has appointed an Independent Investigative Committee to scrutinize Kenya's organ transplant services.
Committee's Mandate and Composition
The committee, chaired by Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi—a distinguished researcher and Chief Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)—is tasked with:
- Reviewing Kenya’s legal and institutional frameworks on organ donation and transplantation.
- Examining facilities and processes involved in transplant services.
- Investigating non-compliance and malpractice within both public and private institutions.
- Evaluating specific allegations surrounding Mediheal Hospitals, including potential commercialization and illegal organ trafficking.
- Recommending changes to improve transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance.
The committee will operate for three months, with a comprehensive report expected upon conclusion. Its secretariat is based at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Nairobi.
Context and Related Developments
This development follows a recent exposé and rising public concern over allegations of transplant tourism, commercialisation of organ donations, and unethical medical practices at Mediheal's Eldoret facility. A parallel 80-day public inquiry is currently being conducted by the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Health, led by Seme MP Dr. James Nyikal.
That inquiry aims to investigate the legality and oversight of kidney transplant services at Mediheal, amidst reports of possible coercion, lack of informed consent, and exploitation of vulnerable donors—particularly for the benefit of foreign recipients.
International Implications
The ongoing allegations have attracted scrutiny beyond Kenya’s borders, raising red flags around the country’s compliance with international norms on human tissue and organ transplant ethics. Kenya’s reputation as a regional hub for affordable healthcare could face serious challenges if trust in its systems erodes.
Government's Stance
Health CS Aden Duale has reiterated the government’s commitment to ethical healthcare, saying, “The integrity of our medical system must never be compromised. We will act decisively wherever there is evidence of abuse, exploitation, or illegal conduct.”
In April 2025, Duale suspended all transplant services at Mediheal hospitals and initiated an executive-led audit, which is ongoing. Two senior officials from the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services were also suspended to ensure an impartial investigation.
Social Health Advisory Panel Also Appointed
In a separate notice, the Ministry also unveiled a Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel to support the newly established Social Health Authority. This panel will guide benefit package design, tariffs, and equitable access to services under the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024.
Chaired by Prof. Walter G. Jaoko, the panel includes senior health professionals such as Dr. Patrick Amoth, Dr. Hajara El Busaidy, and Dr. Margaret Macharia. They are tasked with advising for a period of three years.
The secretariat for this advisory panel includes Dr. Francis Motiri, Dr. Tabitha Okech, Dr. Patricia Nyaboki, and Dr. Abdiaziz Abdiakadir Ahmed.
