The government has suspended all kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals with immediate effect, following new allegations of malpractice and violations of professional ethics at the hospital’s Eldoret branch. This move, announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday, comes amid growing public outcry and fresh concerns from government quarters about the integrity of transplant procedures being conducted at the facility. The development revives the spotlight on Mediheal’s long-standing controversies, particularly a previous scandal involving alleged organ trafficking and unethical medical practices that shook public confidence in the country’s transplant system.
In a statement to the press, CS Duale said the government had received credible concerns regarding the hospital’s adherence to ethical transplant procedures, prompting the urgent suspension of services. He announced the formation of an independent committee of transplant experts drawn from public and private health institutions, professional medical associations, and regulatory bodies. The task force has been assigned to conduct a comprehensive audit of all kidney transplant services offered by the Mediheal Group over the past five years. The review will cover governance, clinical practices, ethical compliance, and patient safety protocols. The team is expected to deliver its findings within 90 days from the date of appointment.
The Health Ministry has also taken steps to safeguard ongoing patient care by redirecting individuals currently receiving or seeking transplant-related services at Mediheal to licensed health facilities. These include Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital in Eldoret, Nairobi West Hospital, and Mater Hospital. Duale emphasized that these institutions meet the regulatory standards required to perform ethical and safe transplant procedures.
The suspension is not without administrative consequences. In a bid to protect the integrity of the ongoing audit process, CS Duale announced the immediate suspension of two senior officials in the Ministry of Health. Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, the acting head of the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), and Dr. Everlyne Chege, the technical lead who chaired a previous probe into Mediheal’s operations in December 2023, have both been relieved of their duties pending further investigations. Duale explained that their removal is necessary to eliminate any potential conflict of interest and to ensure an independent and objective audit. Dr. Martin Sirengo, Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services, has been appointed to take charge of KBTTS in the interim.
Duale also addressed the growing concerns around the licensing of foreign medical practitioners in Kenya. He directed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to immediately suspend the issuance of new licenses to foreign doctors, with the exception of those from East African Community member states. The KMPDC has been tasked with conducting an audit of all currently licensed foreign medical practitioners in the country and submitting a report within 90 days. The move is part of a broader effort to align Kenya’s medical standards with international best practices and prevent the exploitation of legal and ethical loopholes.
The latest action against Mediheal follows a failed 2023 Ministry of Health probe into transplant malpractice at the Eldoret facility. That investigation ended inconclusively, as the fact-finding team’s report was never formally submitted or signed off due to disagreements among committee members. Despite the lack of formal closure on the matter, persistent allegations of unethical practices — including possible involvement in organ trafficking — have continued to dog the hospital’s reputation.
Mediheal Group of Hospitals, which began operations in Kenya 14 years ago with a single facility, has expanded rapidly across the country and now operates 10 branches. Its growth, however, has been marred by repeated controversies surrounding its transplant programs. The renewed government intervention underscores the Ministry of Health’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity and rights of patients, while enforcing higher standards of accountability, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all healthcare services.
As investigations proceed, the country will be watching closely to see whether this marks a turning point in how medical ethics are upheld, not just at Mediheal, but across Kenya’s entire health sector.
