Senate intervenes as mothers detained at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital over bills are set to be released

Senate Health Committee Chairperson Sen. Jackson Mandago

The Senate Committee on Health has directed the immediate release of mothers who have been detained at Kiambu County Referral Hospital for more than three months due to unpaid maternity bills. The Committee, led by Chairperson Sen. Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), issued the directive during an oversight visit to assess healthcare services, infrastructure and resource utilisation at the facility.

Sen. Mandago said the Committee was disturbed to learn that several mothers classified as indigent had been unable to leave the hospital after delivery because they could not clear their bills.

“We cannot allow a situation where mothers are held in hospitals simply because they are poor. After our discussions with the County Executive, we have agreed that these bills will be settled under the Wamatangi Care Programme. The affected mothers should be discharged within 48 hours,” Mandago stated.

During the visit, the Committee also raised concern over the rise in teenage pregnancies recorded at the hospital. Mandago urged the Kiambu County leadership and local MCAs to intensify community sensitisation efforts to curb the trend.

“The numbers we have seen here are worrying. This is a societal issue that must be confronted at community level,” he said.

The Committee further encouraged residents to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, noting that many women admitted to the maternity ward were not enrolled and consequently struggled with medical expenses that could otherwise be covered.

On infrastructure, the lawmakers expressed concern over the hospital’s non-functional incinerator, stressing the urgency of improving medical waste disposal systems. Members of the County Assembly assured the Committee that procurement of a new incinerator would be factored into the next supplementary budget.

The Committee also flagged challenges at the hospital’s mortuary, including inadequate equipment and staffing gaps. It recommended that the county government provide the necessary tools, consider promotions for long-serving staff and review employment terms to improve efficiency.

The oversight visit also extended to Ruaka Level 3 and Karuri health facilities, where the Committee inspected ongoing upgrades.

The Senate Health Committee directed the County Assembly Health Committee to follow up with the County Executive and pledged to table a comprehensive report in Parliament for further action.