German Documentary Exposes Alleged Kidney Harvesting from Kenyans

Mediheal Fertility and Transplant Centre in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, is facing serious allegations of involvement in illegal organ trafficking following a comprehensive investigation by the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service (KBTTS). 

The probe, initiated after concerns raised by the Kenya Renal Association last year, examined 372 kidney transplant cases performed at the facility since 2018. While the KBTTS report, submitted to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, stopped short of confirming criminal activities, it flagged several suspicious practices indicative of potential trafficking operations. 

These include the involvement of foreign donors and recipients, a lack of clear relationships between donors and recipients, and the frequent appearance of the name "Yusuf" as next of kin in medical records, raising questions about potential exploitation of regulatory gaps by an organized syndicate. Led by KBTTS CEO Dr Maurice Wakwabubi, the 12-member committee also scrutinized transplant protocols at Mediheal's affiliated centres in Rwanda and Uganda. 

Of particular concern was the allegation that transplants involved donors from Central Asia and recipients from countries such as Israel, suggesting potential "transplant tourism," a practice where patients travel abroad to obtain organs commercially—a practice outlawed in Kenya. The involvement of surgeons of Indian origin and revelations about kidney transplants being coordinated through online platforms have further amplified scrutiny, hinting at the possible presence of international trafficking networks. 

The situation escalated following a German television documentary aired on April 11, 2025. The documentary alleged that an online medical company, Medlead, utilized Mediheal’s facilities to harvest kidneys from Kenyan citizens for export to patients in Germany. 

One Kenyan boy featured in the documentary displayed physical scars from the operation and claimed he received Sh294,000 for his organ, a significant portion of which was allegedly stolen upon his return home. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has expressed serious concerns about the findings and vows to take decisive action. 

"I will summon the committee and deliberate on their report. If necessary, I will shut down Mediheal to prevent further harm to Kenyan citizens," Mr Duale stated, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the disturbing revelations from the German documentary.

Organ trafficking represents a global challenge demanding coordinated efforts from government agencies, medical practitioners, and international partners.