The global organ trafficking network | DW Documentary

Summary

This investigative report unveils the illegal kidney trade in Eldoret, Kenya, where vulnerable individuals, like Amon, are exploited for organ trafficking. Promises of a better life for donors, including payment and healthcare, turn out to be false. With international syndicates involved, donors face severe health consequences, while recipients from countries like Israel and Germany pay exorbitant amounts. Despite investigations and reports, powerful figures and legal loopholes protect the traffickers, leaving victims in desperate conditions. The involvement of high-profile individuals and the absence of legal repercussions perpetuate this organized crime.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eldoret, Kenya has become a major hotspot for illegal organ trafficking, with both local and international networks involved.
• 😀 Amon Kipruto Mely, a 22-year-old Kenyan, sold his kidney for $4,000, promised a better life, but ended up facing severe health problems.
• 😀 The organ trade targets vulnerable young people in Kenya, with recruiters offering false promises of a better future in exchange for kidneys.
• 😀 Many of the individuals involved in the trade are unaware of the health risks associated with kidney removal and are not properly informed about the procedure.
• 😀 Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret is implicated in the organ trafficking ring, with foreign recipients from Israel and Germany paying large sums for kidneys.
• 😀 The Kenyan legal system has loopholes that prevent authorities from prosecuting those involved in kidney trade, as the law is silent on organ sales for money.
• 😀 Some kidney donors suffer from depression, alcoholism, and long-term health issues due to the physical and emotional toll of selling their organs.
• 😀 Robert Shpolanski, the head of MedLead, is linked to international organ trafficking networks, despite claiming transparency and legality in his operations.
• 😀 In some cases, recipients are misled about the legality and ethics of the organ trade, with some unaware that the donor receives compensation.
• 😀 Powerful figures in Kenya’s political and healthcare sectors, such as Swarup Mishra, are allegedly involved in protecting the illegal organ trade, creating a climate of fear for those investigating it.

Q & A

What is the central issue addressed in this investigation?

The central issue is the illegal kidney trade and organ trafficking occurring in Kenya, with Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret being implicated as a central player in this network. The investigation reveals how individuals are exploited for their kidneys, often under false promises and without adequate medical explanations.

How does Amon Kipruto Mely's experience with kidney selling reflect the broader issue of organ trafficking in Kenya?

Amon's experience highlights the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. He was promised a significant amount of money in exchange for his kidney but ended up receiving much less and facing serious health complications. His story is representative of many young Kenyans lured into organ trafficking by the promise of a better life, only to face exploitation and harm.

Why do some young people in Kenya agree to sell their kidneys?

Many young people in Kenya, like Amon, are driven by financial desperation. The promise of quick, substantial money is alluring, especially when the average income is low. They are often recruited by middlemen who exploit their vulnerabilities, offering them what seems like an easy way out of poverty.

What role do the middlemen play in the organ trafficking network?

Middlemen act as intermediaries between donors and the hospital. They recruit individuals, like Amon, to sell their kidneys, promising them significant sums of money. The middlemen often take a commission for each person they recruit, which perpetuates the cycle of exploitation.

What are the legal implications of kidney selling in Kenya?

Kenya’s legal framework is a significant gray area. While organ donations for altruistic reasons or to relatives are allowed, there is no law that directly prohibits selling organs for money. This legal gap allows the organ trafficking network to operate with little fear of prosecution.

How does Mediheal Hospital’s involvement in organ trafficking manifest?

Mediheal Hospital is implicated in organizing illegal kidney transplants, often with foreign recipients. The hospital reportedly performs surgeries where donors are paid under the guise of altruistic donations, exploiting individuals, including minors, from impoverished backgrounds. Despite allegations, the hospital continues to operate with minimal legal consequences.

What kind of impact does kidney selling have on the donors, as seen in the case of Amon and others?

The impact on donors is often devastating. Many, like Amon, face long-term health issues, such as depression, alcohol addiction, and chronic health problems due to the loss of a kidney. They also struggle with the unfulfilled promises of a better life, leading to emotional and financial despair.

How do recipients of the kidney transplants, such as Sabine Fischer-Kugler, justify participating in the system?

Recipients, like Sabine, justify their participation by focusing on the legality of their contracts, which claim that donors are not paid directly and that everything is done according to donation laws. However, they often turn a blind eye to the reality that the donors are paid through intermediaries, thus perpetuating the trafficking cycle.

Who are the key figures allegedly behind the organ trafficking operation?

The key figures behind the operation include Robert Shpolanski, who works for MedLead, a company facilitating the transplant network. He is linked to a criminal organization involved in illegal kidney transplants across several countries. The founder of Mediheal, Swarup Mishra, is also allegedly involved, with accusations of his ties to high-ranking political figures in Kenya.

Why is it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute those involved in organ trafficking in Kenya?

The investigation and prosecution are hindered by corruption and fear. Many investigators face resistance from powerful people, including those in government, who may be involved or protect the trafficking network. Additionally, a lack of legal clarity and the involvement of high-ranking individuals further complicate the pursuit of justice.