Breaking Down Mwenje’s New Proposal on Organ Harvesting

Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje has shed light on his proposal for a Human Organ Transplant Bill, emphasizing the need for regulation in Kenya’s organ transplant sector, which he says currently operates without oversight.

Speaking on The Morning Kiss with Kwambox, Mwenje revealed, “I engaged some morgues in my constituency and found out that organ harvesting happens, but it’s unregulated. That’s when I asked myself, ‘Where is the law governing this?’”

He explained that his inspiration came after reviewing the outdated Human Organ Act, which he described as insufficient to address current realities.

To better understand the issue, Mwenje consulted medical professionals, asking why Kenyans needing organ transplants must travel abroad to countries like India, China, or South Africa. “They told me no one addresses this topic locally, and that’s why legislation is critical,” he said.

He clarified that his proposal is not yet a formal bill but aims to establish clear guidelines on the use of harvested organs. “We need to define their purposes—medical or scientific research only—not for financial gain or misuse, such as witchcraft. Without regulation, the vulnerable, especially the poor, could easily be exploited with monetary incentives.”

Mwenje also noted there are 248 institutions involved in organ harvesting in Kenya, yet none operate under any regulatory framework.

Public Reactions

Kenyans have shared mixed views on the proposal:

• Ken Ng’eno: “Great idea, but only if done correctly. Otherwise, it should remain banned.”
• Nyakoah Purity: “This will increase the smuggling of human organs and endanger many lives if passed.”
• Joshu De Kamlesh: “The real issue isn’t just harvesting organs, but the shady deals behind it. Innocent people will ‘die’ just for their organs to be traded.”
• Linda John: “My body is my right. No one should harvest my organs without my consent. At this rate, we might even be rationed oxygen soon.”
• Alex Ongaro: “It’s already a business, and now they want to make it legal instead of hiding.”
• Shem Clivers: “Hospitals might turn into death traps—doctors could prioritize harvesting organs over saving lives.”
• Anyiko William Achiando: “This is a great initiative. Why bury organs that could save lives, like kidneys and hearts?”
• Polin Gichuki: “This could lead to a surge in disappearances. May God protect us.”

The debate continues, with many voicing concerns about potential misuse and exploitation if regulations aren’t robust enough to safeguard ethical practices.