Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale did not hold back as he took aim at the Ministry of Health leadership over allegations of organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital.
In a video posted on social media, Duale questioned the lack of action during the shocking incidents of organ trafficking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
“Where was the leadership when somebody was doing organ trafficking in Eldoret?” he asked.
Duale's remarks were blunt, condemning the alleged practice as both immoral and deeply troubling.
“It’s very sad and very poor,” he said.
He called for urgent reforms, noting that the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) had been aware of the situation.
The minister also announced plans to establish a committee of experts to investigate the matter and promised that those responsible would face consequences.
His statement comes as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) ramps up its probe into human organ trafficking at Mediheal’s Fertility and Transplant Centre.
The DCI's Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) is leading the investigation, and on Tuesday, April 22, the DCI called on anyone with relevant information to assist by coming forward to its headquarters.
“We are committed to a thorough investigation to ensure justice for all parties involved,” the DCI said in a post on X, urging the public to contribute any details that might aid in the probe.
The allegations have sparked further scrutiny, with the National Assembly’s Health Committee now launching its inquiry into Mediheal’s practices.
The committee has 80 days to determine whether the hospital adhered to professional ethics.
This inquiry follows the suspension of Swarup Mishra, chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute, by President William Ruto, to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
Mediheal, however, has denied the allegations. In an April 16 interview on Spice FM, Maryline Limo, the group’s Vice President, noted Mediheal “strictly adheres to the legal guidelines and procedures.”
She clarified that the hospital only accepts patients with their donors and does not source or select donors for transplant procedures.
The claims of organ trafficking surfaced after a report by Deutsche Welle (DW) raised concerns about kidney transplant practices at Mediheal’s Eldoret facility.
The investigation revealed allegations from donors who claimed they were misled and underpaid for their kidneys.
While Limo acknowledged challenges in verifying the relationships between donors and recipients, she explained that the hospital relies on sworn affidavits for verification.
Mediheal is also conducting its internal investigation to identify those responsible for any illegal transactions.
