Kenyan Youth Sells Kidney for KSh 600,000 to Escape Poverty, Now Battles Regret, Health Complications
In a heart-wrenching tale of desperation and consequence, 23-year-old Amon Kipruto from Eldoret, Kenya, has revealed how he sold one of his kidneys in an attempt to break free from poverty — a decision that has since left him battling health complications and deep regret.
Kipruto shared that he initially rejected offers from a group that promised him financial assistance in exchange for his organ. However, persistent economic hardship and lack of opportunities eventually pushed him to reconsider.
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Under mounting financial pressure, he contacted the group again, who arranged for a surgery at a local hospital. In exchange for his kidney, he was paid KSh 600,000.
“I agreed to have my kidney removed. They paid me KSh 600,000 as promised,” Kipruto recounted, his voice filled with remorse. “But after the operation, I started experiencing health complications that haven’t stopped since.”
The aftermath has taken a devastating toll on both his physical health and his family’s emotional well-being. His mother, Leah Meto, described the shock she felt upon discovering what had happened. “They told me my son had lost a kidney. I came back immediately and found him unwell,” she said, visibly heartbroken.
Kipruto and his mother now make frequent hospital visits to monitor his condition, struggling with the long-term effects of the surgery. He admits that the decision, made in a moment of despair, has brought pain and embarrassment to his family.
His story sheds light on the harsh economic realities driving some young people to take extreme and dangerous measures for survival — a sobering reminder of how poverty continues to claim more than just livelihoods, but lives and dignity.
Kenyan Youth Sells Kidney for KSh 600,000 to Escape Poverty, Now Battles Regret, Health Complications