The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health is investigating alleged malpractice and ethical breaches in Kenya’s kidney transplant sector, with Mediheal Group of Hospitals at the center of the probe. The inquiry stems from widespread concerns over weak regulatory oversight and a rising influx of foreign patients, particularly from Somalia, seeking transplants in the country.

• The investigation was prompted by allegations of malpractice at Mediheal Group of Hospitals due to increasing reports of Somali nationals seeking transplants without formal clearance from their government.
• Nephrologist Dr. Matthew Kiptonui Koech of Oak Tree Centre for Kidney and Chronic Diseases stated that many Somali patients travel to Kenya after hearing about transplant availability, often without proper referrals.
• Kenya faces significant challenges including inadequate infrastructure, limited laboratory capacity (especially for reliable tissue typing), and regulatory gaps, which contribute to unethical practices and uncertainty in the transplant sector.