By Chiru Murage

INTERPOL is currently investigating a number of Kenyan organizations that have been tied to human trafficking for the purpose of the use of victims as a living supply of organs. Kenya has the highest rate of human trafficking in East and Central Africa, where alleged corruption – possibly including the police, intelligence agencies, and the judiciary – has necessitated an intervention by INTERPOL to shut down this illegal trade.

According to their ongoing investigation, “victims are often misinformed about the medical aspects of the organ removal and deceived about the sums they will receive.”

Their health, and their lives, are at risk as operations may be carried out in clandestine conditions with no medical follow-up. In addition, families are taken advantage of and tricked into being compliant in the trafficking of their own children: they are led to believe that their daughters will lead better lives. Kenyan girls are usually trafficked for commercial sex work or for work as domestic household servants.

The prevalence of human trafficking has made organ trafficking an easy next step. This article suggests that rising rate of diabetes has contributed greatly to the parallel rise in organ trafficking in Kenya. There are “social, economic, medical, and political repercussions” for countries involved in the trade, and the sad truth is that there are too many people in situations that make them more susceptible to organ trafficking.

Read the full article here.

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