MPs invite public views, evidence on Mediheal kidney saga

Mediheal Group of Hospitals in Eldoret. April 23, 2025. [Peter Ochieng, Standard] The National Assembly has invited the public to submit memoranda and evidence of the alleged kidney trafficking at the Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret. The Health Committee Tuesday announced that the memoranda should be sent to the clerk by May 9. "The committee has noted with concern the public outcry and issues raised with respect to 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," says the notice. The investigation seeks to assess the legality and ethical integrity of kidney and other transplant procedures at the hospital, examine the role of foreign nationals and potential transplant tourism, and evaluate the oversight and regulatory mechanisms available. Seme MP James Nyikal, who chairs the Health Committee, said that the inquiry would recommend necessary legal or policy reforms to safeguard the integrity of the country's healthcare system. "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 Nyikal. "We are going to ask critical questions, such as 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?" Another key consideration will be whether proper immigration and licensing procedures were followed for foreign doctors, and whether recipient-donor relationships were vetted. "Did Mediheal conduct due diligence in verifying the relationships between donors and recipients, especially where foreign nationals were involved?" said Nyikal. Health CS Aden Duale has also appointed of a 13-member committee to probe the matter. The probe comes after a media expose, which alleged that the hospital could have been engaging in commercialised organ donations and transplant. The investigative report claimed that Kenya was at the centre of an international organ trafficking syndicate. It reported that kidney recipients, who were mostly German, would pay up to $200,000 (approximately Sh25.9 million) for an organ transplant but in one instance, a young Kenyan man was paid $4,000 (about Sh518,120) to donate his kidney in unclear circumstances. The alleged donor claimed he was introduced to a middleman who arranged his transport to the hospital, where he was given documents written in English, a language he does not understand, to sign. But Mediheal Group's Vice President Maryline Limo denied the claims, insisting the hospital follows all legal and ethical guidelines as per industry standards. "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 told Spice FM on April 16. She acknowledged that while the hospital requires all patients to present their own donors, it was difficult to independently verify the relationships. Instead, the hospital relies on sworn affidavits. Mediheal Group founder Swarup Mishra also denied the allegations. "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.

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