By Nyambega Gisesa
Early this month, 20-year-old Walter Otieno told The People that he is a ready to sell his kidney for only Sh50,000 to raise cash to replace his stolen laptop.
“I know I am young and healthy and my kidney can fetch good money but I won’t take that route. I am not a greedy person. I don’t want to over quote and scare away potential buyers,” he told the newspaper.
The youth said that he his pursuing his dream career of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Eldoret.
Selling any human part is illegal. However, donating is allowed. Kidney business is described as thriving with the average price of a kidney in the black market as high as $150,000.
In places like Pakistan and Philippines, kidneys are in high demand. According to Havoscope, a site that provides global black market information, it costs up to $250,000 to buy a kidney in black market in Moldova while the same goes for a mere $650 in Kenya.
In 2010, there were reports of unscrupulous people harvesting parts from accident victims and selling them.
“ I know several white men who come to the country to look for kidneys to harvest,” a source, who works at a top Nairobi hotel said.
Some desperate Kenyans have even gone to internet sites hoping that they can find a place where they can sell their kidneys.
“46,353 can you guys buy a kidney from Nairobi, Kenya?” a post at a kidney site reads.
“46827 hi, I live in Kenya, East Africa. I would like to sell my kidney to you. How do we do this?” Another willing seller enquires in the website.
For some, kidney business has turned tragic. This month, a Ukrainian man who decided to sell his kidney on the black market so as to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend was in a rude shock when she dumped him.
