NAIROBI, Kenya – A prominent Israeli firm has been credited with alerting Kenya’s Ministry of Health to possible organ trafficking activities at a renowned hospital in Eldoret, prompting a multi-agency investigation into the allegations.
The revelation has cast a spotlight on Kenya’s transplant sector and sparked international concern over the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
In response, the Israeli Embassy in Nairobi issued a statement condemning the alleged practices and reaffirmed Tel Aviv’s commitment to the global fight against organ trafficking.
“As a signatory to the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism, Israel strongly deplores all forms of organ trafficking and other illegal practices that endanger the lives and dignity of donors and recipients,” the embassy stated.
Israel’s law enforcement agencies, it added, remain vigilant against organ trafficking both within and beyond its borders and are prepared to support Kenya in investigating the case.
“Even in the ongoing probe by Kenyan authorities involving the said hospital, we remain available to cooperate and provide any assistance necessary,” the statement concluded.
The suspected irregularities came to light following concerns raised by an international medical group, which suggested that the situation may involve an organized transnational network attempting to bypass Kenya’s medical regulatory systems.
This prompted the Ministry of Health to establish a special task force comprising transplant specialists, ethicists, doctors, government officials, and regulatory experts.
The team conducted an audit between December 5 and 8, 2023, focusing on the hospital’s transplant protocols.
While the facility in question was licensed to perform kidney transplants, the team found several troubling inconsistencies.
Although consent forms were present in all reviewed cases, it was often unclear how donors and recipients were related.
Additionally, some critical pre-transplant medical tests were conducted in India without the required clearance from Kenya’s Ministry of Health.
The hospital had conducted 372 kidney transplants over a five-year period, catering to patients from Kenya, other East African countries, and a few from the U.S., the UK, and Israel.
This international reach has raised further questions about the intent and integrity of some procedures.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale underscored the gravity of the findings, calling for a full-scale audit.
“The allegation of organ trafficking must be investigated by the relevant authorities,” he said. “Some of the recipients and donors are coming from more advanced health systems to a relatively new transplant programme, and the reasons given cannot be ascertained.”
The embassy’s commitment to supporting the investigation is seen as a critical step in unravelling what could be a complex web of international organ trade.
Analysts warn that such revelations, if proven true, could undermine public trust in transplant systems and discourage genuine donors from coming forward.
Kenya’s health authorities are now under pressure to strengthen oversight, improve transparency, and prevent future abuse in a sector that, while life-saving, is vulnerable to exploitation.
