Ruto Suspends BioVax Chair Swarup Mishra Over Mediheal Kidney Transplants Scandal
President William Ruto has, with immediate effect, suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra, the Founder of Mediheal, from his position as Chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute.
In an official statement issued on Friday, April 18, the President stated that the suspension follows an ongoing series of investigations into unethical activities linked to recent cases of organ trafficking. The statement emphasized that the suspension would remain in place pending the outcome of the investigations.
“The suspension shall remain in force pending the outcome of investigations into serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities involving kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret,” the statement read.
An exposé by prominent international media outlets, including Deutsche Welle (DW), German media ZDF, and Der Spiegel, has revealed that Kenya is at the heart of a global organ trafficking syndicate. According to the investigation, recipients of kidney transplants have paid up to $200,000 (approximately Ksh 25.9 million). The report highlighted the exploitation of both young individuals eager to make money and older individuals desperate for life-saving organs.
The exposé also detailed how an international network orchestrates the trafficking operations, sourcing local donors through paid referrals. In some cases, donors were reportedly flown in from countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan.
Further investigations uncovered that vulnerable Kenyans, often in dire financial straits, were exploited, selling their kidneys for as little as Ksh 294,000. The recipients of these organs primarily came from countries such as Germany and Israel. The investigation revealed that many donors were misled, signing documents they could not comprehend, with many suffering severe health complications following surgery.
In response to the findings, Mediheal’s Vice President denied any involvement in the trafficking operations. Speaking on Spice FM on Wednesday, April 16, she claimed that patients seeking organ transplants were solely responsible for finding donors, a process the hospital allegedly did not partake in.
In his suspension statement, President Ruto reassured Kenyans of the government’s commitment to maintaining integrity in healthcare and safeguarding public safety.
“The President reaffirms the Government’s commitment to fighting corruption, including upholding integrity in healthcare, public safety, and justice for victims,” President Ruto asserted.
Dr. Mishra had been appointed by the President to lead the BioVax Institute board in November 2024, a position he was set to hold for the next three years.
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Ruto Suspends BioVax Chair Swarup Mishra Over Mediheal Kidney Transplants Scandal
