President William Ruto has suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra from his role as Chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute, following serious allegations of unethical and illegal kidney transplant procedures at the Mediheal Group of Hospitals, which he founded.
In a statement released on Friday, the President said the suspension will remain in force pending the outcome of investigations into the matter. “The suspension shall remain in force pending the outcome of investigations into serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities involving kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret,” Ruto stated.
The move comes just six months after Dr. Mishra was appointed as the chair of BioVax Institute’s board of directors for a three-year term beginning November 22, 2024.
Dr. Mishra, a former Kesses MP and proprietor of the Mediheal Group, has been a prominent figure in the Rift Valley region. Known for his philanthropic contributions and branded “Kiprop” by the local Kalenjin community, he gained popularity for his generosity but lost his parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Election to Julius Rutto.
The suspension follows the Ministry of Health’s recent decision to halt all transplant procedures at Mediheal hospitals, citing “credible concerns” over ethical lapses. “Effective immediately, all transplant services — and in particular kidney transplant services — at Mediheal Group of Hospitals are hereby suspended until further notice,” read a statement from the Ministry.
The Mediheal Group operates branches in Eldoret, Nairobi, and Nakuru. The Ministry pointed to both public and government outcry regarding the facility’s compliance with medical ethical standards, prompting swift action.
President Ruto emphasized his administration’s unwavering stance on upholding integrity in public health. “We remain committed to fighting corruption and ensuring justice for victims,” he said.
The ongoing investigations are expected to scrutinize the transplant processes at Mediheal and determine whether patients’ rights were violated. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for Dr. Mishra and the private health sector in Kenya.
