Kenyatta National Hospital Responds After Kenyans Offer to Sell Kidneys

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued a statement following numerous requests from Kenyans seeking to sell their kidneys to the country’s largest referral hospital.

KNH divulged that it has received endless direct messages on its social media pages from Kenyans asking 'How much for my kidney?' 

The health facility clarified that the sale of kidneys, and all body organs, remains illegal in the country, adding that one can only donate out of a free will.

“Please note that organ sale is strictly prohibited and illegal. You can only donate out of a free will,” the hospital said.

Even though kidney sale is illegal in many countries across the world, it is among the most lucrative clandestine trades, with brokers using social media to find donors.

South Asia is the leading transplant tourism hub in the world, with India among the top kidney exporters, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is estimated that over 2,000 Indians sell their kidneys to foreigners annually.

The demand for kidneys globally is attributed to a surge in renal diseases, diabetes as well as high blood pressure. 

India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Iran are said to be the world’s biggest black markets for body organs.