Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed viral claims that Kenya is exporting human blood, warning that people spreading what he termed as false information risk arrest.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Health said social media users had misinterpreted data published on the World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) platform, leading to alarm online.
The controversy started after reports circulated showing that Kenya exported products listed under the category “Human and animal blood; microbial cultures” in 2024, valued at about USD552,010 (around KSh71.2 million).
The reports triggered public concern, with some social media users claiming the country was involved in the export of donated human blood.
But the ministry said the information was being misunderstood.
According to Duale, the customs category mentioned in the report covers a wide range of medical and pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, toxins, diagnostic materials and other laboratory products not donated blood collected for transfusions.
“This classification does not include donated blood collected for transfusion service,” the CS said.
Duale also explained that some of the exports recorded under the category belong to international companies using Kenya as a distribution centre for pharmaceutical products within the East African region.
He further noted that Kenya does not manufacture products such as antisera or plasma-derived blood products locally, saying the country imports them from approved international manufacturers.
At the same time, the CS warned that the government would work with investigative agencies to track down individuals spreading misleading health information online.
The issue sparked debate after some online reports claimed Kenya was among countries involved in illegal cross-border movement of blood products within the region.
However, Kenyan law prohibits the illegal sale or trade of human blood, with tough penalties proposed for offenders under existing and planned legislation.