Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has established a high-level committee to investigate allegations of organ trafficking involving Mediheal Group of Hospitals, following a damning report by international media.
In a gazette notice published this week, CS Duale appointed Professor Elizabeth Bukusi to chair the 13-member team, which includes experts in medical ethics, health policy, and transplant medicine.
The probe comes after Deutsche Welle (DW), a German public broadcaster, aired an exposé linking Mediheal to an alleged international organ trafficking network.
The committee’s mandate includes reviewing the legal and regulatory framework governing organ and tissue transplant services in Kenya, conducting a thorough audit of practices in public and private health institutions — with specific focus on Mediheal — and identifying any gaps or breaches in governance, ethics, or medical protocol.
Duale said the move seeks to safeguard patient rights and ensure that all organ transplant procedures conducted in Kenya adhere strictly to ethical and legal standards.
The committee’s secretariat will be composed of Stella Kanja, Rueben Tulei, and Jedidah Effie Oduor.
In response to the allegations, Mediheal’s Group Vice President, Maryline Limo, denied any wrongdoing, stating the hospital maintains compliance with all national and international medical guidelines.
Founder Dr. Swarup Mishra has also dismissed the claims as “baseless,” affirming the hospital’s commitment to ethical medical practices.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Parliamentary Health Committee has opened its own inquiry, calling for public submissions and testimonies.
The committee is expected to submit its findings within 90 days.
