Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has ordered the immediate suspension of all kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals following serious allegations of malpractice and ethical violations at the Eldoret branch.
The directive comes in response to a preliminary investigation and is aimed at safeguarding patient safety and restoring public confidence in the healthcare system.
Speaking at Afya House, CS Duale announced the formation of an Independent Expert Committee to conduct a comprehensive audit of all kidney transplant services offered at Mediheal facilities over the past five years.
The team will examine governance, clinical procedures, ethical standards, and patient safety, with a report expected within 90 days.
To ensure an impartial investigation, the CS also ordered the suspension of Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, Acting Head of the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), and Dr. Everlyne Chege, the technical lead who chaired a previous probe into the matter. Dr. Martin Sirengo has been appointed to lead KBTTS during the investigation period.
In addition, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has been instructed to stop licensing new foreign medical practitioners, except those from East African Community member states. The council will also audit all licensed foreign doctors in the country and submit a report to the CS within 90 days.
Patients currently receiving or seeking kidney transplant care at Mediheal have been directed to seek services at alternative licensed facilities, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, M.P. Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital–Eldoret, Nairobi West Hospital, and Mater Hospital.
CS Duale reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to patient rights, ethical standards, and professionalism, saying the move was necessary to restore accountability in the healthcare sector. He was accompanied at the briefing by Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni and Dr. Ouma Oluga, as well as Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth.
