The Ministry of Health has shot down reports claiming that Kenya exports human blood, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale warning that authorities may arrest those spreading these viral allegations on social media.
In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, the ministry explained that social media posts had misinterpreted trade data from the World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) platform. This confusion created a false narrative that the country was selling donated blood to foreign markets for profit.
“Reference is made to a report published on World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) website regarding Kenya’s exports of Human and animal blood; microbial cultures in 2024 and related Social Media reports alleging export of human blood and blood fractions,” stated Duale.
The public outcry intensified after the WITS report circulated online, showing that Kenya exported goods worth approximately Ksh71.2 million (USD 552,010) in 2024. These items fell under a broad trade category labeled “Human and animal blood; microbial cultures.”
The Ministry of Health moved to calm public anxiety, clarifying that the data in the report stems from a broad customs classification. This category encompasses vaccines, antisera, toxins, and diagnostic products rather than donated human blood.
“The referenced category of ‘Human and animal blood’ in the report is a universal trade classification that includes, among other substances, vaccines, toxins, antisera, and other blood-derived products, microbial cultures, and similar products,” clarified Duale.
The Health CS further noted that these figures represent a wide range of pharmaceutical, laboratory, and research materials.
“This classification is a broad customs category covering a wide range of pharmaceutical, laboratory, diagnostic, research, and biological products. Importantly, this classification does not include donated blood collected for transfusion service.”
Duale assured the public that the government maintains strict controls over the nation’s blood supply, ensuring that every pint of donated blood remains dedicated solely to saving lives within Kenyan hospitals.
CS Duale also pointed out that many of the exports recorded in the WITS data actually belong to multinational companies. These firms use Kenya as a “regional logistics hub” to redistribute pharmaceutical products across the East African region.
The minister further clarified that the Ministry of Health does not manufacture antisera for blood grouping or plasma-derived blood products. Additionally, the ministry does not carry out plasma fractionation to produce clotting factors, albumin, or immunoglobulins.
He added that Kenya imports all such products used locally from internationally accredited manufacturers.
The government is now taking a hard line against the spread of rumors, stating that it will work with relevant investigative agencies to identify and apprehend individuals who publish or spread misleading health information.
“The Ministry of Health will work with relevant investigative agencies to seek and apprehend persons peddling and publishing misleading health information to the Kenyan public, under the existing laws,” warned Duale.
The post CS Duale Warns Social Media Users: Spread the Blood Export Rumour and Face Arrest appeared first on Bossnana.
