Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has appointed an Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services.
According to a gazette notice issued on Wednesday, April 23, the committee, to be chaired by Professor Elizabeth Bukusi, has been tasked to examine the country's organ transplant systems.
This includes evaluating governance structures, regulatory frameworks, and identifying gaps or malpractice in transplant services across the country.
The committee comprises twelve members, including Dr. Jonathan Wala Ameyo, Dr. Ahmed Sokwala, Dr. Preeces Okutoyi, Dr. Patrick Mburugu, Dr. Noelle Adano Orara, and Dr. Ann Kasyoka Barasa.
Others are Dr. Divine Kemunto Nyareta, Dr. Wendy Kimbui, Dr. Sara Talaso Banoya, Dr. Charles Kandie, Dr. Joseph Manringu, and Dr. Larcia Omari.
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The secretariat will be supported by Stella Kanja, Dr. Reuben Tulele, and Jedidah Effie Oduor.
Among its top priorities, the committee is expected to review existing policies and legal frameworks governing organ transplants.
It is also tasked with conducting investigations into allegations of malpractice and non-compliance and assessing systemic weaknesses and risks of unethical practices.
The committee is also expected to investigate reports of illegal organ trade and trafficking involving Mediheal Group of Hospitals, review clinical documentation, and interview key stakeholders in transplant services.
It is also tasked with evaluating the legitimacy of past donor-recipient matches and consent procedures.
In addition to these, the committee will also be expected to enhance public trust and transparency in organ transplant practices by recommending reforms, collaborate with international health agencies to benchmark best practices in transplant governance, and assess the effectiveness of current post-transplant monitoring systems and ethical oversight mechanisms.
The committee will also make recommendations to strengthen the regulatory environment, enhance ethical oversight, and ensure compliance with the Human Tissue Act and other relevant laws.
"It is notified for general information of the public that the cabinet secretary for health has constituted a committee to be known as The Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services," the notice read in part.
This move follows allegations of human organ trafficking at Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret.
On Tuesday, April 22, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said it has taken over investigations into the allegations.
In a statement, the DCI revealed that the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) would now lead the investigations, taking over from various regional offices where initial reports had been filed.
"The Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) of the DCI has taken over for investigation, the case where Mediheal Hospital is implicated in the trafficking of human organs harvested at its Fertility and Transplant Centre in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county," the statement read in part.
