Days after the organ transplanting saga was exposed, raising concerns in the country, President William Ruto has taken action.

In a communique shared by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed on Friday, April 18, 2025, the head of state suspended Dr. Swarup Mishra as chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute.

The statement indicated that Mishra’s suspension was with immediate effect.

President Ruto made it clear that the suspension would remain in force until investigations into claims of illegal activities involving kidney transplants are concluded, indicating that the facility mentioned in the exposé was founded by Mishra.

“President William Ruto has today suspended, with immediate effect, Dr Swarup Mishra as chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute,” the statement read in part.

“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,” it added while explaining the reason for suspension.

The Kenya BioVax Institute (KBI) is a state-owned corporation in Kenya established in 2021. Its primary mandate is to manufacture, package, and commercialise specialised health products and technologies.

Mishra, who lost his Kesses parliamentary seat to Julius Ruto, a former Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance, during the August 2022 polls, was appointed in November 2024.

He was meant to serve for three years. However, with the latest saga, the former MP is now expected to step aside to allow a probe into the matter.

Fighting corruption

While issuing the suspension order, Ruto confirmed his commitment to fighting corruption in the country.

“The President reaffirms the Government’s commitment to fighting corruption, including upholding integrity in healthcare, public safety, and justice for victims.”

Press Release: pic.twitter.com/Xv6kFCyMdE

— Hussein Mohamed, MBS. (@HusseinMohamedg) April 18, 2025

Duale suspends 2 officials

The latest order came hours after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale suspended two senior officials in a move aimed at protecting the integrity of an ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal organ transplant fiasco.

Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, the acting head of Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), and Dr. Everlyne Chege, the ministry’s technical lead, were suspended with immediate effect.

“This step is necessary to eliminate any potential conflict of interest and to ensure that further investigations proceed independently and objectively in accordance with relevant laws,” the statement read.