Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has explained the circumstances surrounding a rare complication during a KNH kidney transplant, explaining that all procedures followed international medical protocols and that the outcome, while unfortunate, is a known risk in such surgeries.
This comes just a day after the patient, a woman who had received a kidney from her brother, recorded a statement at the Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi.
The female patient had been battling kidney failure since 2022 and was on regular dialysis at a private health facility.
In a statement released on Monday, KNH stated that in August 2024, she began the transplant process at KNH alongside her brother, who had volunteered to donate a kidney to her.
The two were taken through counselling, medical evaluations, and all necessary pre-surgery tests before being admitted to the hospital’s Transplant Unit.
The surgery was done on February 12, 2025. However the doctors noticed that the transplanted kidney was not performing as expected after the operation.Further examination revealed reduced blood flow to the organ.
Following established global medical practice, the patient was taken back to theatre for review. The medical team determined the kidney was no longer viable and removed it to protect her health.
Lab results later confirmed that a blood clot had blocked the kidney’s blood supply a rare but recognised complication in kidney transplantation, affecting up to 8% of such procedures worldwide.
KNH reported that the donor recovered well and is under routine follow-up. The recipient was discharged on March 5, 2025, with a plan to resume dialysis and attend regular reviews. She was checked in again at the transplant clinic on March 11 for further follow-up.
Between 2024 and 2025, KNH had successfully performed 22 kidney transplants, 21 of which were all successful.
The hospital admitted the family’s frustration and disappointment, stating that it remains available to offer further clarification.
KNH affirmed its commitment to delivering safe and specialised healthcare to all patients.
