ELDORET, KENYA – April 17, 2025
Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret is at the center of a growing scandal as Kenyan authorities launch an investigation into alleged involvement in illegal organ transplants. The private facility is accused of being a hub for “transplant tourism,” where wealthy foreign recipients pay large sums—reportedly up to $200,000—for organs sourced from vulnerable or under-informed donors.
The probe comes amid a rise in suspicious transplant surgeries conducted at the hospital over the past year. Investigators believe the institution may have operated outside the legal frameworks governing organ donation, exploiting systemic loopholes and weak oversight to perform high-value surgeries.
According to early reports, some donors may have been misled about the nature of the procedures or coerced into selling organs under false pretenses. Medical watchdogs and civil society groups have raised alarm about a pattern of commercialized transplants, potentially involving patients from outside Kenya, including from the Middle East and Asia.
“We are deeply concerned about the possibility of human trafficking for organs under the guise of medical care,” said a source close to the investigation. “This not only violates ethical standards but also undermines the entire transplant system in Kenya.”
Authorities cite systemic corruption as one of the primary obstacles to holding those responsible accountable. Regulatory bodies have often been criticized for their lack of transparency and failure to enforce existing laws designed to protect donors and ensure medical integrity.
Mediheal Hospital has yet to issue an official statement but is expected to face both criminal and professional scrutiny in the coming weeks. If the allegations are confirmed, it could lead to sweeping reforms in Kenya’s transplant regulation system—and raise broader concerns about the exploitation of impoverished populations for medical tourism.
Legal experts warn that this may just be the tip of the iceberg. “This is a transnational issue,” said a Nairobi-based human rights lawyer. “Kenya must decide if it will become a safe haven for medical profiteering or take bold steps to protect its citizens and restore trust in its healthcare system.”
