Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has launched an independent inquiry into organ and tissue transplant practices in Kenya, responding to a growing public outcry over allegations of malpractice, particularly linked to the Mediheal Group of Hospitals. The move marks a significant step by the Ministry of Health to address what has become one of the most pressing controversies in the country’s healthcare system. At a ceremony held at Afya House in Nairobi, Duale officially inaugurated a 13-member committee chaired by renowned medical researcher Professor Elizabeth Bukusi. The committee’s establishment was formalized through Gazette Notice No. 78, issued on April 23, 2025.
Speaking during the event, Duale emphasized the gravity of the allegations and the importance of transparency in the investigation. He highlighted that restoring public trust is paramount and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rooting out any malpractice in the health sector. According to the Cabinet Secretary, this inquiry is not merely a response to media reports, but a broader attempt to examine the integrity of Kenya’s transplant services, ensure adherence to medical standards, and protect vulnerable patients from exploitation. He warned that any individuals or institutions found culpable will face the full force of the law.
The independent committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of the country’s organ transplant framework. This includes reviewing the legal, institutional, and ethical structures currently in place and evaluating whether hospitals, particularly Mediheal, have complied with national and international transplant protocols. The team will also identify any regulatory loopholes or procedural flaws that may have enabled unethical practices to occur. Duale has given the committee until July 22, 2025, to complete and present its findings.
The formation of the panel follows an explosive investigative report that implicated Mediheal in a suspected international organ trafficking network. These claims have sent shockwaves across the country, triggering calls from human rights groups, professional associations, and the general public for immediate action. In response, the Law Society of Kenya has also urged the government to take firm steps to protect patients and ensure that healthcare institutions uphold the highest ethical standards.
Despite the damning allegations, Mediheal has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Group Vice President for Operations Maryline Limo stated that the hospital complies fully with existing medical guidelines and dismissed the trafficking claims as unfounded. Similarly, the hospital’s founder, Swarup Mishra, expressed confidence that the truth would vindicate the institution. He characterized the accusations as baseless and maintained that Mediheal continues to offer ethical and world-class medical care.
Assisting the committee will be a secretariat team comprising Stella Kanja, Rueben Tulei, and Jedidah Effie Oduor. Present at the commissioning were top officials from the Ministry of Health, including Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, and Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth. PS Oluga emphasized the need for fairness and objectivity in the probe, noting that the final report will play a vital role in shaping improved clinical practices across the country.
As the committee begins its work, the public and the medical community alike will be watching closely. With Kenya’s health system under intense scrutiny, the outcome of this investigation may well determine how the country navigates the intersection of medical innovation, ethical governance, and patient rights moving forward.
