President Ruto Suspends Dr. Swarup Mishra Amid Organ Trafficking Allegations
The suspension, effective immediately, follows serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities involving kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret.
President William Ruto has suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra, founder of Mediheal Hospital and former Kesses MP, from his position as Chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute. Photo/Citizen Digital.
By Robert Assad
President William Ruto has suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra, founder of Mediheal Hospital and former Kesses MP, from his position as Chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute.
The suspension, effective immediately, follows serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities involving kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret.
In a statement released by the State House, the President emphasized that the suspension will remain in force pending the outcome of ongoing investigations into the alleged organ trafficking activities.
These investigations were prompted by reports from international media outlets, including Deutsche Welle, ZDF, and Der Spiegel, which highlighted Kenya’s central role in a global organ trafficking syndicate.
The exposé revealed that recipients from countries such as Germany and Israel paid up to $200,000 for kidney transplants facilitated through Mediheal Hospital.
A fact-finding mission conducted by the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service uncovered irregularities in 372 kidney transplants performed at Mediheal since 2018.
The report cited concerns over transplant tourism, repeated use of the same next-of-kin names, and the involvement of foreign doctors and donors from countries like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan.
The Kenya Renal Association had previously called for the immediate suspension of Mediheal Hospital’s operating license, citing serious ethical breaches in organ transplant procedures.
Despite these calls, no action was taken until the recent international scrutiny brought renewed attention to the issue.
Dr. Mishra, who lost his parliamentary seat in the 2022 general elections, was appointed as Chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute in November 2024 for a three-year term.
His suspension marks a significant step by the Kenyan government in addressing the growing concerns over illegal organ trade and ensuring ethical practices in the country’s healthcare system.
The government has reiterated its commitment to thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action against those found culpable.
The Ministry of Health has also pledged to strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent such unethical practices in the future.
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