President Ruto Suspends BioVax Chair Dr. Swarup Mishra Over Organ Trafficking Allegations
President William Ruto has suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra, the founder of Mediheal Group of Hospitals, from his position as Chairperson of the Kenya BioVax Institute with immediate effect, amid mounting allegations of involvement in a transnational organ trafficking syndicate.
In an official statement issued on Friday, the Head of State cited serious ethical concerns and ongoing investigations into illegal kidney transplant procedures allegedly conducted at Mediheal Hospital and Fertility Centre in Eldoret.
“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,” read part of the statement from State House.
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International Investigations Expose Syndicate
The move follows a damning exposé by German public broadcasters Deutsche Welle (DW), ZDF, and investigative magazine Der Spiegel, which placed Kenya at the epicenter of a sophisticated and deeply exploitative organ trafficking network. The exposé revealed that kidney recipients paid as much as $200,000 (approximately Ksh25.9 million) for transplants facilitated through clandestine international arrangements.
According to the investigative report, vulnerable individuals—mainly young Kenyans desperate for income—were recruited to sell their kidneys for as little as Ksh294,000. Many were allegedly misled into signing consent documents they could not comprehend and were left with serious health complications following the procedures.
The investigation further uncovered that some donors were flown in from countries such as Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, with an international network orchestrating referrals, logistics, and payouts.
Mediheal Responds
Mediheal Group, through its Vice President, denied any wrongdoing, stating that all organ transplant procedures at its facilities were conducted in accordance with Kenyan law. Speaking on Spice FM on April 16, the VP asserted that patients are solely responsible for sourcing their own donors and that the hospital does not participate in that process.
“We do not get involved in donor identification. That’s up to the patients,” she claimed during the interview.
However, critics argue that the hospital cannot evade responsibility if illegal transplants were conducted under its watch, raising concerns about regulatory gaps and oversight in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
Government Assures Accountability
President Ruto emphasized the government’s resolve to uphold integrity in the health sector and ensure justice for those exploited.
“The President reaffirms the Government’s commitment to fighting corruption, including upholding integrity in healthcare, public safety, and justice for victims,” the statement concluded.
Dr. Mishra, a former Member of Parliament for Kesses Constituency, was appointed to chair the BioVax Institute Board in November 2024. His tenure was expected to run for three years, but the suspension marks a dramatic pause to his leadership at the state-run biotechnology agency tasked with vaccine research and production.
As investigations unfold, both the local and international communities await further disclosures from Kenyan authorities on what is shaping up to be one of the most serious medical ethics scandals in recent years.
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