The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has urged security agencies and the Ministry of Health to be vigilant and transparent in the ongoing probe of organ trafficking allegations at Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret. In a statement on Thursday, April 24, the LSK President, Faith Odhiambo, said that security agencies and the Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, should take action to ensure that a thorough probe into the hospital is conducted and victims, who are the potential witnesses, are protected. Odhiambo said that National Police Services, in collaboration with the Victims Protection Board, should ensure the protection of victims who recently claimed that their lives are in danger. The victims, who spoke to journalists on Tuesday, April 24, alleged that unscrupulous individuals have been trailing them since they went public against the hospital.
LSK has called for the immediate apprehension of the individuals dispensing the threats.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo Photo Faith Odhiambo "We are apprehensive of emerging reports of threats and intimidation directed at victims and potential witnesses of suspected organ traffickers.
We urge the National Police Service (NPS) and the Victims Protection Board to ensure the security of these victims and apprehend all purveyors of these threats," she stated. Welcoming the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) move to lead investigations into the hospitals, Odhiambo has stressed the need for DCI to be 'extremely' diligent. On the other hand, Odhiambo has urged the 'independent expert committee', which was set up by Duale to spearhead investigations into the hospital, to collaborate and involve other parties such as the LSK and the Civil Society Organisations for technical support and to ensure transparency in the investigations. Furthermore, Odhiambo has urged the CS to ensure the formulation of regulations that will regulate organ transplant practices in the country. LSK has stressed the need for the Kenya Medical and Dental Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to ensure thorough scrutiny of foreign medical practitioners before they are given authorisation to operate in the country. "To that end, we invite KMPDC to undertake more robust vetting and due diligence of medical practitioners and health facilities prior to issuing licenses to practice, to ensure that Kenya does not become a haven for rogue practitioners evading regulatory oversight in their own countries," she stated. The demands come two days after the National Assembly Committee of Health said that it has begun an 80-day investigation into the allegations of organ harvesting and malpractice at Mediheal. James Nyikal, who chairs the committee, said the probe would also focus on the regulation of organ transplants in the country, with particular attention to the integrity of kidney transplant services, the involvement of foreign nationals, and the emerging issue of potential transplant tourism.
