Faith Nyasuguta
A major hospital in Kenya has cautioned people that they cannot legally sell their kidneys to make money. The message comes as the cost of living crisis, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, continues to soar across the East African country.
Kenyatta National Hospital, the country’s top referral hospital, revealed via a Facebook post that “How much for my kidney?” has become the hospital’s “most inboxed question.”
The hospital added a reminder that it is illegal to sell your organs.
“Please note that organ sale is strictly prohibited and illegal, you can only donate out of free will, “ the post added.
Kenyans are enduring a sharp rise in inflation, which is at a two-year high, mainly caused by the soaring cost of food and fuel.
Much of this has been made worse by the war in Ukraine, which has seen a major supply of wheat to the region blocked from leaving the Eastern European country.
Last month, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, announced a 12 percent increase in the minimum wage to help Kenyans combat the effects of rising costs. However, it is yet to be implemented.
In a speech to the African Union (AU) on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attempted to use the impact the war is having on many African countries to ask its leaders for more public support.
“This war may seem very distant to you and your countries,” Zelenskyy said.
“But the food prices that are catastrophically rising have already brought it to the homes of millions of African families.”
Macky Sall, the president of Senegal and the current chair of the AU, called for “urgent dialogue” to end the war.
“Africa remains committed to respecting the rules of international law, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and freedom of trade,” Sall added.
