Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday received a detailed report from a government-appointed committee investigating illegal organ transplants and trafficking at Mediheal Group of Hospitals. The 13-member team, led by Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi, submitted its findings to Duale in Nairobi after three months of investigation. The task force was created through Gazette Notice No. 78 issued on April 23, 2025. It was mandated to probe claims of unauthorized transplants and potential human trafficking linked to procedures conducted at Mediheal facilities.
“The committee has delivered a thorough report, on time, and in line with the legal directive,”CS Duale said during the handover. “We are now reviewing the contents in detail to ensure the health sector upholds the highest ethical standards.”
The final report spans 313 pages and outlines confirmed findings, recommendations, and gaps in Kenya’s current transplant system. While the full content has not been made public, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the report addresses regulatory failures, weak oversight, and loopholes that may have enabled the violations under review.
According to CS Duale, the recommendations will inform upcoming reforms in Kenya’s tissue and organ transplant regulations. “We are committed to implementing every proposal necessary to protect patients and preserve integrity in medical practice,” CS Duale stated.
The Ministry has deployed a technical team to review the report. Once complete, officials are expected to roll out new safeguards to prevent future malpractice in both public and private medical institutions.
The investigation followed growing public concern and whistleblower accounts about unauthorized transplant surgeries allegedly performed on vulnerable individuals. Concerns were raised about possible criminal syndicates operating within the hospital’s network, prompting the state to intervene.
The task force’s report is expected to guide legal and policy changes aimed at closing regulatory gaps, increasing transparency, and holding violators accountable under Kenyan law. Stakeholders in the health sector have called for swift action to restore trust and enforce strict ethical compliance across all transplant procedures.
The Ministry of Health has not yet indicated whether the findings will lead to prosecutions or disciplinary measures against Mediheal staff or affiliates. The next steps will be guided by the outcome of the ongoing review.
This case has sparked national attention and placed scrutiny on private health providers, especially those involved in sensitive surgeries like organ transplants. Public outcry has also prompted calls for stronger patient protection laws and independent oversight of transplant facilities.
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