NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Health has dismissed claims circulating online that Kenya exports donated human blood and blood products abroad, describing the reports as misleading and based on a misinterpretation of international trade data.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the ministry clarified that a report published on the World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) platform referred to a broad customs classification category that includes vaccines, antisera, toxins, microbial cultures and laboratory products — not donated blood collected for transfusion services.
“The referenced category of ‘Human and animal blood’ in the report is a universal trade classification that includes among other substances vaccines, toxins, antisera and other blood-derived products,” the ministry said.
Officials explained that the customs category covers a wide range of pharmaceutical, research, laboratory and diagnostic products traded internationally.
The clarification follows widespread social media claims alleging that Kenya was exporting human blood and blood fractions to foreign countries.
According to the ministry, the trade statistics cited in the report largely relate to multinational firms operating regional supply and logistics hubs in Kenya, which import and redistribute pharmaceutical and laboratory products across East Africa.
“The Ministry of Health does not export any donated blood or components of blood for purposes of manufacturing blood-derived products in a foreign country,” the statement added.
The ministry further noted that Kenya does not manufacture plasma-derived blood products such as immunoglobulins, clotting factors or albumin, nor does it undertake plasma fractionation.
As a result, the country imports such specialised medical products from internationally accredited manufacturers for use in healthcare services and laboratory diagnostics.
Health officials warned that trade reports and customs classifications should be interpreted carefully to avoid spreading misinformation capable of causing public alarm or undermining confidence in the national health system.
The ministry also indicated that it would work with investigative agencies to identify individuals disseminating what it termed misleading health information under existing laws.
“The public is requested to obtain accurate information directly from the Ministry of Health,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Health said it remains committed to strengthening the country’s health systems and ensuring access to safe, quality-assured and globally compliant healthcare services.
