Kenya’s first kidney transplant was performed in 1978. In 1984, the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi’s largest public referral facility, established a regular kidney transplant program, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renal care services.
Since then, transplant centers have grown to seven across the country, with four located in the capital, Nairobi, and three in Eldoret, a healthcare hub in Western Kenya. Between 2012 and 2022, 708 kidney transplants were carried out in Kenya, according to stats from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The accredited facilities that conduct kidney transplants include Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH), The Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi West Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), and Mediheal Hospital.
However, on April 17, 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale suspended all kidney transplant services at Mediheal Group of Hospitals.
This was due to a report that revealed significant gaps in the facility’s kidney transplant program and raised fresh concerns about potential organ trafficking involving foreign nationals.
Kidney Transplant at KNH
The Kidney Transplant center at the KNH is equipped with two transplant theatres, a post-recovery room, and two wards each with six beds for male and female patients, along with cloakrooms. It was funded by the Government of Kenya at a cost of Kshs. 160 million.
The infrastructure supports kidney, liver, and other organ transplants, while also offering training and research opportunities. It is complemented by a state-of-the-art HLA laboratory for accurate donor and recipient matching.
The first kidney transplant in Kenya was performed in 1978 at Kenyatta National Hospital. The procedure was conducted on Mr. Dickson Njoroge, with the donor being his cousin – Mr. Dickson Ndekei Wanjiru.
Aga Khan Hospital
Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi offers a comprehensive kidney transplant program supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
Over the years, the hospital has carried out successful kidney transplant procedures since 1995.
The hospital initiated a support group that brings together kidney patients undergoing dialysis, transplant candidates, donors, and recipients to share their experiences and offer mutual encouragement.
Also Read: Duale Shuts Down Mediheal Kidney Transplant Services
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) established its Kidney Transplant Centre of Excellence in 2006. The hospital has carried 73 successful kidney transplants at MTRH and are now leading normal lives.
MTRH leadership and a multi-disciplinary team comprises of nephrologists, urology surgeons, nurses, psychological counselors and nutritionists.
The hospital is equipped with high-end operating theatres, specialized wards, and advanced medical equipment including cardiac monitors, infusion pumps, and a range of specialized drugs specifically designed to support post-transplant care.
Post-transplant medications are especially critical, as they play a vital role in helping patients accept and maintain the transplanted kidney.
Nairobi Hospital
The Nairobi Hospital Kidney Centre features an ICU and an outpatient facility, serving both Nairobi Hospital patients and those from other healthcare institutions.
Nairobi hospital kidney center is equipped with kidney transplant donor facilities and can attend to up to 20 patients per day.
In addition to dialysis machines, the center provides digital weighing scales for all seated patients, changing rooms, and routine blood tests
Also Read: Kidney Disease: Why We Record More Dialysis and Few Transplants
Nairobi West Hospital
The Nairobi West Hospital opened the largest 24/7 private dialysis center in Kenya. They offer center-based dialysis program that has several advantages for patients including, dialysis only three times a week, leaving four days free from treatment, and a trained team of dialysis care professionals who administer treatment, opportunities to interact with fellow patients in a friendly, supportive environment, and a fully equipped center that includes laboratory facilities for efficient services.
Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital
The center currently has the capacity to provide dialysis treatment to up to 20 patients per day working 24/7.
On April 4, 2025, KUTRRH announced that they will be opening a kidney transplant. On that same day, the first kidney patient and donor were currently being prepared for transplant.
The aim of starting a kidney transplant centre was to save Kenyans from enormous costs in kidney operations that were previously done abroad.
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