A 21-year-old man from Eldoret town is living a nightmare after being conned by a group of scammers who promised to pay him Ksh 600,000 in exchange for one of his kidneys.
The young man, identified as Harmon Kipruto, agreed to the illegal deal, hoping the money would improve his financial situation.
However, after undergoing the risky procedure and losing his left kidney, the scammers only paid him Ksh 360,000, leaving him sick and struggling to survive.
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How Harmon Kipruto was trapped
Desperate for a way out of poverty, the young man was approached by individuals posing as brokers who promised to connect him with wealthy buyers in need of a kidney.
They assured him that selling his kidney was a safe and quick way to make a large sum of money. Believing their promises, the young man underwent surgery in an undisclosed location, where his left kidney was harvested.
To his dismay, after the surgery, the boy was paid only Ksh 360,000—far less than the agreed-upon amount. Even worse, his health began to deteriorate rapidly. With no money to cover his medical expenses and the trauma of losing an essential organ, his condition worsened.
Now left with just one kidney, the young man is severely ill, suffering from complications that could have been avoided if the surgery had been conducted in a proper medical facility. He is unable to work, and his family, already struggling with financial hardships, is unable to afford the medical care he urgently needs.
Harmon Kipruto’s family Cry for Justice
His family is devastated by the turn of events and is now calling for justice. They are appealing to the government and relevant authorities to investigate the illegal operation and bring the culprits to book. The young man’s mother – Leah Chepkorir spoke out, saying,
“We want those responsible for ruining our son’s life to be held accountable. He is now sick and helpless with no way to recover the money or his health.”
His emotional uncle could not control his tears as he remembered the struggle the family went through to raise him.
The family has also called on well-wishers to assist with the boy’s mounting medical bills as he battles his deteriorating health.
The victim is urging parents and other youths to be cautious of such scams, hoping his story will raise awareness about the dangers of illegal organ trafficking.
Organ Trafficking in Kenya
Unfortunately, cases like this are not isolated. The illegal organ trade is a growing issue in Kenya, driven by poverty, lack of regulation, and unscrupulous individuals preying on the vulnerable. The government has made attempts to crack down on such activities, but the underground networks remain difficult to dismantle.
The young man’s family hopes that by speaking out, they can help prevent others from falling into the same trap and push for stronger regulations to protect people from such exploitation.
As the boy’s condition continues to worsen, his family remains hopeful that justice will be served, and they are calling on authorities to take swift action against those responsible for the scam that cost their son his kidney and health.
Here is the story courtesy of Kokwet;
