NAIROBI, Kenya – Former senior presidential advisor Moses Kuria has criticized Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over his recent threat to revoke the citizenship of Mediheal Group of Hospitals founder, Dr Swarup Mishra, amid ongoing investigations into an alleged organ transplant scandal.
In a statement on Sunday, Kuria questioned the legality and prudence of such remarks, warning that they could seriously damage Kenya’s investment image and undermine due process.
“Sometimes I wonder. When a senior government official who is not in charge of immigration says we will cancel citizenship and deport so and so, do we ponder to think what investors will think of our country?” Kuria posed.
He added: “What of investors’ confidence? What of due process? What of our credit rating? At this rate, from where shall we get jobs for these children of ours? Gracious Lord, hear us.”
Kuria’s comments come just days after CS Duale, speaking at an event in Eldoret on August 1, vowed to strip Dr Mishra of his Kenyan citizenship — which was acquired through naturalization — if found culpable in the alleged organ trafficking claims.
“If it means us revoking that citizenship because it is not by birth, we will revoke it, close your hospitals and deport you,” Duale said. “Those who are his friends tell him. We will use the Citizenship and Immigration Act.”
Sometimes I wonder. When a Senior government official who is not in charge of immigration says we will cancel citizenship and deport so and so, do we ponder to think what investors will think of our country? Are we that unorthodox? What of investors confidence? What of due
Duale further alleged that several victims of kidney harvesting at Mediheal had either gone missing or received hush money to remain silent.
“Young people whose kidneys were removed, some of them have disappeared. We have evidence. Some of them were paid,” he claimed.
The Health CS also tabled a report before both Houses of Parliament, indicating that some foreign transplant recipients at Mediheal were treated using the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), a scheme meant for Kenyans.
However, Dr Mishra has denied all allegations, stating that no Kenyan kidney has ever left the country and that all foreign transplant patients arrived in Kenya with their own donors.
“The medical facility is not involved in donor selection, transaction, or any form of influence, pressure, bribing, or commercialisation. Not even one Kenyan organ has been exported,” Mishra said in a July 29 statement.
His remarks followed the release of a government-commissioned task force report, which examined 476 kidney transplants performed at Mediheal between 2018 and 2024.
The report accused the facility of violating multiple transplant regulations and recommended the prosecution of Dr Mishra and three senior doctors.
The report has sparked national outrage and reignited debate over medical ethics, organ trafficking, and the protection of vulnerable patients.
However, Kuria’s latest comments have added a political layer to the unfolding scandal, questioning not just the actions of Mediheal, but also the government’s response.
