Gazetted under Notice No. 5043, the committee which will be chaired by Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi, has been tasked with conducting a far-reaching investigation into the operations of both public and private transplant facilities, with specific focus on Mediheal Group of Hospitals.
The 13-member team includes experts in medicine, law, and ethics, supported by a secretariat housed within the Ministry.
The committee will evaluate the existing legal and policy frameworks, examine transplant protocols and ethics review processes, and assess clinical compliance in a bid to uncover any malpractice or trafficking in human organs.
Key among its duties is a deep dive into Mediheal’s past 60 months of transplant records to verify donor consent, detect coercion or commercialization, and audit internal governance systems.
“Any weaknesses, misconduct, or non-compliance identified will inform our recommendations for reforms,” the notice states, emphasizing the gravity of the inquiry.
The team will also scrutinize organ export practices and ensure accountability by reviewing Mediheal’s reporting to regulatory bodies and its alignment with Kenyan law, including the Human Tissue Act.
In a related move, the Health Cabinet Secretary has appointed a Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel under the Social Health Insurance Act. This panel, chaired by Prof. Walter Jaoko, will guide the rollout of health benefits and tariffs under the new universal health coverage reforms.
The transplant probe committee will serve for three months, while the advisory panel will hold office for three years.
