A growing scandal over illegal organ harvesting in the North Rift region has taken a new turn, with fresh claims that Mediheal Group of Hospitals was not the only facility involved.
Investigations now reveal a wider criminal network made up of rogue doctors, brokers, and poorly regulated private clinics.
Nandi Hills MP Benard Kitur, who blew the whistle on the scandal, told the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health that the syndicate has operated for years, targeting poor and desperate people in remote villages.
Kitur said that vulnerable youth were tricked with promises of big payouts or lied to about the nature of the medical procedures they were undergoing.
“Mediheal is not the only one. Evidence now shows that several other private hospitals, both licensed and unlicensed, are part of this illegal business involving kidney transplants and unethical organ removal,” he told the committee on Thursday.
He gave the example of Emmanuel Kipkosgey, a young man who was promised Sh1.2 million in exchange for his kidney. However, Kitur said he only received a total of Sh450,000 and was left with worsening health.
“Despite his health declining, Kipkosgey is still suffering and has not been paid the balance he was promised,” Kitur added.
The committee, chaired by Seme MP Dr. James Nyikal, launched a 90-day public inquiry into the matter on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The probe will examine the full extent of illegal kidney transplants and recommend action.
Kitur explained that brokers approached young men while they were hanging around shopping centres, offering quick money for undergoing a so-called “simple medical procedure.” The victims were first tested in one hospital and later taken to Mediheal for surgery. He declined to name the first facility.
Dr. Nyikal raised concern over this secrecy. “Which hospital carried out the tests to confirm he was a suitable donor?” he asked. “This process seems prearranged, and we need to know where it started.”
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli also questioned the decision to hide the name of the first hospital. “Why withhold that name? If we are to investigate thoroughly, we need full disclosure,” he said.
However, Endebess MP Dr. Robert Pukose urged the committee not to focus only on Mediheal. “It’s clear more than one hospital is involved. Let’s widen the scope of this probe,” he said.
Dr. Nyikal agreed that if a syndicate exists, a broader investigation is needed. “When there’s a network, we must look into all involved parties,” he said.
Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino urged caution, saying too much exposure too soon could alert suspects. “These syndicates might go underground if we reveal everything publicly. Let’s consider private interviews with victims,” he advised.
Preliminary findings show that some surgeries were done without proper medical records, consent, or post-operation care. Some donors reportedly disappeared or suffered serious health problems. There are also claims of forged documents and fake donor-recipient match results being used to carry out the operations.
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