Fresh scrutiny has been cast on the handling of an explosive audit into alleged illegal kidney transplants at Mediheal Hospital, after claims that a parliamentary committee may have diluted key findings before presenting them to lawmakers.
The controversy centres on a 338-page report compiled by the Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services and submitted to the Ministry of Health.
The report reportedly raised serious concerns over transplant procedures at the facility, including allegations of possible organ trafficking and irregular medical practices.
However, questions have emerged over whether Parliament’s health committee altered or softened the findings, potentially shielding the hospital from full accountability.
The claims have triggered public concern, particularly given the scale of the alleged malpractice.
Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are already ongoing, focusing on at least 476 kidney transplant procedures conducted under what authorities describe as questionable circumstances.
Detectives are examining whether the cases involved breaches of medical ethics, illegal financial transactions, or exploitation of vulnerable donors.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday confirmed that the government has ordered a fresh, independent audit into the matter.
He said the decision was informed by growing public anxiety and the need to establish the truth beyond doubt.
Duale acknowledged that the allegations had raised “grave fears” about the possibility of organ harvesting and trafficking within Kenya’s healthcare system.
He emphasised that the ministry would not rely solely on the contested report and instead sought a transparent reassessment of all transplant activities linked to the hospital.
The unfolding developments place Mediheal Hospital at the centre of one of the most serious medical ethics investigations in recent years. Stakeholders in the health sector have called for accountability and stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse in transplant services.