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Ruto suspends Mishra as BioVax chair to pave way for Mediheal organs trade probe
Former Kesses MP Swarup Mishra on November 28, 2014.
President William Ruto has suspended Dr Swarup Mishra from his role as chairperson of the board of the Kenya BioVax Institute with immediate effect, amid a scandal over illegal kidney transplants.
The suspension comes just six months after Dr Mishra's appointment to the BioVax board on November 22, 2024.
Dr Mishra, a former Kesses MP, lost his parliamentary seat to Julius Rutto in the last General Election.
In a statement released on Friday, the Head of State said Dr Mishra’s suspension will remain in force as authorities investigate “serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities” at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret, a facility founded by the embattled doctor.
Further, the President reaffirmed the government's commitment to fighting corruption, including upholding integrity in healthcare and public safety, and justice for victims.
“The suspension shall remain in force pending the outcome of investigations into serious allegations of unethical and illegal activities involving kidney transplant procedures at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret. The hospital was founded by Dr Mishra,” President Ruto said.
This comes after the Nation broke the story of the organs trade at the hospital.
It started with the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS) revealing “suspicious activity for trafficking” linked to Mediheal, Eldoret branch.
The probe reviewed 372 kidney transplants conducted at Mediheal since 2018, raising red flags over repeated use of the same next-of-kin names, involvement of foreign doctors, and the presence of donors from countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
On Wednesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale suspended two senior Ministry of Health officials and ordered a halt to all kidney transplant services at Mediheal.
The suspended officials are Dr Maurice Wakwabubi, the acting CEO of the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority, and Dr Everylne Chege, who led the team that investigated the Mediheal in December 2023.
An independent committee has been appointed to audit the hospital's transplant operations over the past five years.
“Effective immediately, all transplant services—and in particular kidney transplant services—at Mediheal Group of Hospitals are hereby suspended until further notice,” the statement read.
The entrance to Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County.
The scandal has drawn international attention, with reports indicating that foreign recipients from countries including the UK, Israel and Japan paid up to $200,000 for organs sourced from impoverished donors.
The Embassy of Israel in Nairobi has condemned organ trafficking and pledged support for investigations following damning revelations involving Mediheal Hospital.
“Israel is a signatory to the Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism and stands firmly behind its principles. We strongly deplore all forms of organ trafficking and other illegal practices that endanger the lives and dignity of both donors and recipients,” it said.
The Israeli government further expressed its readiness to support investigations into the scandal, adding that all such illegal acts will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed by the relevant authorities.
“Israeli law enforcement authorities remain vigilant in combating organ trafficking both within the country and in cooperation with international partners. These crimes are taken with the utmost seriousness and appropriate legal measures are consistently pursued against those involved,” it said in a statement.
“We believe and hope that all such illegal acts will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed by the relevant authorities. The Embassy of Israel remains available to cooperate and provide any assistance necessary in clarifying facts or supporting efforts to combat organ trafficking.”