Mishra: I am not involved in organ trafficking

By Newsflash Reporter

Parliament has begun an 80-day investigation into allegations of organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret.

This move comes after an exposé revealed how senior Health Ministry officials may have manipulated an initial report on the scandal. The probe is being led by the National Assembly Health Committee chaired by Seme MP Dr James Nyikal.

Describing the matter as extremely serious, Dr Nyikal stressed the committee’s determination to unearth the full truth behind the allegations.

“This issue touches on the very dignity of life and the integrity of Kenya’s medical profession. We are going to get to the bottom of it,” he said during a press conference at Parliament Buildings.

Mediheal pushes back

Dr Swarup Mishra, founder of Mediheal and former Kesses MP, strongly denied the accusations, blaming them on political rivals determined to destroy his reputation.

“This is a conspiracy by political and non-political enemies. I swear by God that I am innocent,” he said. “Mediheal has never been involved in organ trafficking.”

Mishra invited journalists and investigators to visit the hospital’s facilities and speak with patients who have received care. He maintained that the hospital was an “open book” and fully committed to life-saving services.

His lawyer, Mr Conrad Maloba of Conrad Law Advocates LLP, affirmed the hospital’s willingness to cooperate. “We’ve suspended all transplant services as instructed by the government and welcome the upcoming audit. Our records are available for scrutiny,” he said.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale took a tough stance, accusing the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) of licensing unqualified foreign doctors, some of whom have reportedly been banned in countries like India.

“We must dismantle the cartels in the health sector. Where was KMPDC when organs were being trafficked?” Duale posed. “These are poor Kenyans being exploited—offered Sh500,000 for a kidney. That’s deeply immoral.”

Dr Ouma Oluga, the Medical Services Principal Secretary, stressed the importance of tightening oversight mechanisms, saying, “Regulation is not just administrative—it protects ethical and scientific standards in our health system.”

A turning point for Kenya’s medical oversight

The Health Committee will evaluate existing transplant laws and assess the performance of regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Health, KMPDC, and the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA). Lawmakers want to know whether institutional failures enabled unethical practices to flourish and whether prior warnings were ignored.

“Have our institutions failed in their duty to protect Kenyans from exploitation?” Dr Nyikal asked. “We want to know who knew what—and when.”

The probe will also consult international experts in medical ethics and transplantation to compare best practices and identify gaps in Kenya’s regulatory framework.

The committee’s recommendations are expected to include legal reforms, changes in policy, and disciplinary action against anyone found culpable. Dr Nyikal emphasized that the aim is not just retribution but a stronger, more accountable health system.

“Our objective is to ensure that Kenya’s health sector is safe, ethical, and internationally respected,” he said. “We want to restore public trust by addressing systemic failures and protecting the dignity of every Kenyan.”

As the inquiry unfolds, attention remains focused on Parliament’s ability to deliver justice and drive reform in a sector marred by corruption and abuse.