The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, has ordered the immediate suspension of kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals following serious allegations of malpractice and ethical violations regarding transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret. This action comes in the wake of concerns raised by a Ministry press release issued on April 15, 2025, detailing the scope of the alleged issues. The suspension is aimed at safeguarding patient safety and ensuring accountability in the healthcare system.
During a media briefing, Hon. Duale emphasized that the Ministry’s top priority is to protect patient welfare and restore public trust in Kenya’s healthcare sector. As part of the response, the Cabinet Secretary announced the formation of an Independent Expert Committee tasked with auditing kidney transplant services across all Mediheal facilities over the past five years. The committee will assess governance structures, clinical practices, ethical compliance, and patient safety measures. The audit is expected to take 90 days, after which a comprehensive report will be submitted outlining the findings and recommendations for corrective actions.
In addition to the audit, Hon. Duale took steps to ensure the integrity of the investigation by suspending key individuals involved in overseeing transplant services. Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, the Acting Head of the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), and Dr. Everlyne Chege, the technical lead who chaired a Ministry probe in December 2023, were suspended. These suspensions are intended to prevent any potential conflict of interest and to ensure that the investigation proceeds impartially. Dr. Martin Sirengo, Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services, has been appointed to temporarily lead the KBTTS during this period.
The Ministry has also made a significant move to enhance oversight of foreign medical practitioners in Kenya. Hon. Duale instructed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to immediately halt the licensing of new foreign medical practitioners, except those from East African Community (EAC) member states. Furthermore, the KMPDC has been directed to conduct an audit of all currently licensed foreign medical practitioners in the country, with a comprehensive report due in 90 days. This step is part of a broader effort to align local healthcare standards with global best practices and ensure that only qualified practitioners are operating in the country.
For patients affected by the suspension of kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals, Hon. Duale recommended alternative healthcare facilities. Patients who are currently undergoing kidney transplant procedures or require related care have been advised to seek services at other licensed hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital–Eldoret, Nairobi West Hospital, and Mater Hospital. This transition is intended to ensure that affected patients continue to receive high-quality care while the issues at Mediheal are being addressed.
In conclusion, the Cabinet Secretary reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and accountability in the healthcare sector. He acknowledged the importance of restoring order and public confidence in the healthcare system, which requires swift and decisive action. The measures announced, including the suspension of services and the investigation into transplant practices, are seen as necessary steps in protecting the integrity of the healthcare system and the well-being of patients across the country.
