Citizen TV anchor Swaleh Mdoe, who recently shocked Kenyans after announcing that he was selling his kidney due to financial challenges, has announced that he has dropped the plan and will instead solicit contributions from well-wishers.
Mdoe took to Twitter on Thursday to announce that after seeing the goodwill Kenyans had offered him, he had set up a paybill number to receive contributions.
"Kufuatia wito wa watu wengi walionipigia simu wakiniomba nisiuze figo yangu bali watanichangia pesa kidogo, nimekubali na nimepata paybill no 458345 (Following the requests by many people who called me pleading with me not to sell my kidney as they would help me with a little money, I have accepted and set up a paybill number 458345)," Mdoe tweeted on Thursday evening.
The veteran broadcaster, known for his popular 'Tafakari ya Babu' segment, had previously announced that he was selling his kidney for Sh2.5 Million as he had no other way to solve his financial problems.
He stated at the time: "I can not get money from any other avenues since I have loans from banks and SACCOs that I am currently servicing."
[caption caption="Swaleh Mdoe presenting a news bulletin"]
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Mdoe explained that he had consulted his doctor before resorting to the drastic measure.
He noted that he would rather sell his kidney than engage in criminal activities to raise the money he needed.
When questioned on how his decision would affect his position as a role model in society, Mdoe explained that it was voluntary and no one should feel obligated to do so.
"Let people sell their body organs if they need to, as long as it is voluntarily done so," he stated.
Selling one's organs became legal in Kenya after President Uhuru Kenyatta assented to a bill giving citizens free will to do the same in 2017.
The law, which builds on the Human Tissue Act of 1966 (reviewed in 2012), allows a person who is competent to make a will or oral statement before witnesses to donate their body or specific organs to be used before or after their death either to save another person’s life or in medical institutions for learning.
[caption caption="Swaleh Mdoe on set"]
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