Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has clarified circumstances surrounding the removal of a transplanted kidney from a patient, following media reports and a police statement by the woman involved.
In a statement on Monday, KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. William Sigilai said the patient, who had received a kidney donated by her brother, was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2022 and had been undergoing regular haemodialysis at a private facility.
She and her brother began attending KNH’s transplant clinic in August 2024, where they received counselling, underwent clinical reviews, and participated in multidisciplinary evaluations ahead of surgery.
The transplant was performed on February 12, 2025, after all necessary tests and approvals were completed. However, Dr. Sigilai said the kidney did not function as expected, with post-surgery scans showing reduced blood flow.
“Following international medical protocol, doctors returned the patient to theatre for assessment and, upon finding the kidney was not viable, they removed it to protect her health,” he said.
Laboratory analysis confirmed the cause as a blood clot in the transplanted organ — a rare but recognised complication in kidney transplants.
The donor recovered well and was discharged on March 5, 2025, while the patient resumed dialysis and continues to attend regular follow-up visits, with her most recent clinic review on March 11, 2025.
Dr. Sigilai noted that such complications occur in up to eight per cent of transplant cases worldwide. In the 2024–2025 financial year, KNH carried out 22 kidney transplants, 21 of which were successful.
He expressed sympathy for the family’s disappointment and reaffirmed KNH’s commitment to specialised care.
“KNH remains committed to delivering quality, specialised healthcare to all our patients,” he said.
