Mediheal hands over patient files to DCI over transplant allegations

Mediheal Hospital lawyers Katwa Kigen and Conrad Maloba on Wednesday submitted several documents relating to kidney transplants at the facility to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.

The documents were handed over to officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU).

“We have been summoned by the DCI to submit documentation with respect to kidney transplants,” said Maloba.

However, the hospital’s proprietor, Dr Swarup Mishra, was not present.

Maloba stated that they had to obtain a court order before releasing the records to the police due to patient-doctor confidentiality.

“We have just delivered the files—our standard operating procedures (SOPs), patients' records—about 382 files of both patients and donors,” he said.

The lawyer added that the court is expected to guide the DCI on how the documents should be handled and what can be disclosed in court.

He confirmed that TOCU is investigating the hospital’s procedures, processes, and the transplants that have taken place at the facility.

The Ministry of Health launched a probe into Mediheal on 17 April, following the formation of a special committee by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. The National Assembly is also conducting a separate investigation, working in parallel with the DCI.

The committee was given 90 days to conclude its inquiry.

“We are continuing with this process—today [yesterday] was just to deliver the records,” said Maloba.

The facility has since been barred from conducting any kidney transplants following allegations of malpractice raised in a documentary by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW).

According to the documentary, doctors involved in the procedures were foreigners from India and Pakistan, while the recipients of the kidneys—sourced from Kenyan donors—came from countries including Germany and Israel.

The exposé alleged that Kenyan donors sold their kidneys for as little as KSh294,000, while the hospital allegedly sold the organs for up to KSh3 million.

Addressing the press, Cabinet Secretary Duale said the government was aware of the allegations against Mediheal. He noted that the ministry had initiated a multidisciplinary fact-finding mission to address the serious concerns raised.

However, a report by the initial committee was never signed by all its members due to differing opinions.

Following the revelations, President William Ruto revoked Dr Mishra’s appointment as chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute.

“President William Ruto has today suspended, with immediate effect, Dr Swarup Mishra as chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute,” said State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a statement.

On 9 May, the National Assembly’s Health Committee invited members of the public to submit evidence and information regarding suspected irregularities in kidney transplant procedures at the hospital.

Maloba noted that the committee has not yet summoned them or their client.

“We expect to be called for the audit anytime next week, and we are ready,” he said.