Former Chief Justice David Maraga has strongly criticised the government’s handling of recent allegations of organ trafficking operations at Mediheal Hospital and other Kenyan health facilities, describing the response as belated and driven by international pressure rather than genuine concern.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his X account on Monday, April 28, 2025, Maraga expressed alarm over the growing scandal, which has left the nation in shock.
This comes after testimonials from victims, such as Amon Kipruto Mely and his mother, Leah Metto, who allege they fell victim to unauthorised organ harvesting.
“If confirmed, these allegations are outrageous violations of Article 28 of the Constitution—the Right to Dignity—and a potential threat to the Right to Life under Article 26,” he stated.
Maraga accused the government of ignoring previous warnings from medical associations, noting that concerns about organ trafficking had been raised as early as May 2023.
“It is worth noting that various medical associations have raised alarm over allegations of organ trafficking since May 2023. The government has largely ignored those reports. Kenya Kwanza is only taking action now following an international media uproar. This is yet another confirmation that this government only acts when its international reputation is at stake,” he remarked.
While acknowledging Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s establishment of an Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services, Maraga cautioned against turning it into a mere public relations exercise that fails to address the deep-rooted issues afflicting the healthcare system.
“This Committee must not become yet again another PR stunt that does not address the broken healthcare system and rampant disregard for human life and dignity,” he emphasised.
He urged the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council to effectively exercise its regulatory mandate to protect the lives of Kenyans.
“The health of our people is the wealth of our country. We must do all we can to protect citizens from exploitation,” he rallied.
Maraga also called for immediate action to address poverty, which he claimed is driving vulnerable young people into the hands of criminal syndicates involved in organ trafficking.
He warned that without serious intervention, the crisis would only worsen.
“It is time to reset this country. We must restore hope and humanity,” Maraga concluded.
Aftermath of the scandal
In light of the escalating scandal, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale ordered the immediate suspension of all kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, has directed the immediate suspension of all kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals until further notice,” the ministry announced on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Patients who were receiving or seeking transplant services at Mediheal have been advised to transfer to alternative licensed facilities, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital-Eldoret, Nairobi West Hospital, and Mater Hospital.
On the other hand, in a communique shared by the State House Spokesperson on Friday, April 18, 2025, President William Ruto suspended Mediheal founder Swarup Mishra as chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute.
Ruto made it clear that the suspension would remain in force until investigations into claims of illegal activities involving kidney transplants are concluded.
“The suspension shall remain in force pending the outcome of investigations into serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities involving kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret. The hospital was founded by Dr Mishra,” the statement reads.
Mishra, who lost his Kesses parliamentary seat to Julius Ruto, a former Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance, during the August 2022 polls, was appointed to the role in November 2024.