Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has clarified details of a kidney transplant involving a female patient and her brother after reports surfaced of complications following the procedure.
In a statement on Monday, KNH CEO William Sigilai said the patient was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2022 and had been undergoing regular haemodialysis at a private facility.
In August 2024, she began attending the hospital’s transplant clinic with her brother in preparation for the procedure, undergoing professional counseling, clinical reviews, and multidisciplinary evaluations.
“Our attention has been drawn to an article regarding a female patient seeking answers on a kidney transplant donated by their brother at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The patient was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2022 and underwent regular haemodialysis treatment at a private facility,” Sigilai said.
According to him, the transplant surgery took place on February 12, 2025, after all necessary pre-transplant investigations and processes were completed.
However, the transplanted kidney did not function as expected, with post-surgery assessment revealing reduced blood flow to the kidney.
“Following international medical protocol, doctors returned the patient to theatre for assessment and, upon finding the kidney was not viable, they removed it to protect her health,” Sigilai stated.
He said that laboratory analysis confirmed a blood clot in the transplanted kidney, a rare but recognized complication in kidney transplantation.
The male donor recovered and was discharged on March 5, 2025, while the female recipient resumed dialysis and continued with regular follow-up visits. She was last reviewed at the transplant clinic on March 11, 2025.
KNH revealed that in the 2024–2025 financial year, the hospital performed 22 kidney transplants with 21 successful outcomes.
“While this complication is uncommon, occurring in up to 8 per cent of cases worldwide, it is a known medical risk in kidney transplantation,” the CEO added.
The CEO acknowledged the family’s disappointment and assured its commitment to quality care.
“KNH remains committed to delivering quality, specialized healthcare to all our patients,” he said.
