Kenya’s National Assembly says it is in the final stages of passing the Transplant and Organ Donation Bill, a landmark piece of legislation designed to combat the growing problem of organ trafficking in the country.
Health Committee Chairperson and Seme MP James Nyikal announced that the Bill is now before the Budget and Appropriations Committee for final review before it is tabled for debate and approval.
According to Nyikal, the proposed law aims to establish a clear legal framework to guide organ donation and transplantation in Kenya. It will allow individuals to specify who they wish to donate their organs to, while also setting out tough regulations and penalties to deter abuse in the sector.
Nyikal made the remarks during a meeting between the Health Committee and doctors from Mediheal Hospital, a facility recently linked to allegations of organ trafficking. The session was part of ongoing parliamentary efforts to probe claims of illegal organ trade and unethical transplant practices in some medical facilities.
During the proceedings, lawmakers questioned Mediheal’s Chief Consultant Nephrologist, Dr. Srinivas Murthy, and the hospital’s founder Dr. Swarup Mishra a former Kesses MP on the hospital’s transplant protocols, donor vetting processes, and adherence to medical ethics.
Dr. Mishra, however, dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless and driven by misinformation. “These claims have circulated for years in 2018, 2019, and 2021 and we’ve taken legal action each time. Mediheal has always operated transparently. It’s time Africa trusts its own capacity to offer world-class medical care,” he said.
The Health Committee is expected to continue its scrutiny as Parliament works to tighten oversight of Kenya’s transplant sector and safeguard citizens from exploitation.
