Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has dismissed claims circulating on TikTok and in sections of the media suggesting that new mothers were being held at the Riley Mothers and Baby Hospital Wing over unpaid Social Health Authority (SHA) fees.
The allegations followed a Daily Nation exposé published on September 18, which reported that the Eldoret-based hospital was overcrowded, with mothers sharing beds, being served poor meals, and in some cases allegedly barred from leaving because of incomplete SHA registration or unpaid premiums.
In a statement issued on Friday, MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip Kirwa said no mother had been unlawfully detained at the facility.
He explained that delays in discharge sometimes occur when patients face challenges registering with the SHA such as missing national IDs, incomplete birth certificates, or unsettled annual premiums.
Dr. Kirwa encouraged patients to complete their SHA registration in good time to avoid unnecessary disruptions.
He also dismissed reports that mothers were served leftover meals, insisting that food, supplies, and services provided at the facility meet the required quality standards.
To address cases involving teenage mothers without identification cards, MTRH said it provides temporary documentation to allow them to register for SHA and access services without delays.
“Congestion can happen when patients are yet to finalize their SHA enrolment. We continue to work with the Ministry of Health to streamline this process,” Dr. Kirwa noted, adding that the hospital often admits patients who could otherwise be managed at lower-level facilities, which sometimes strains space and resources.
The Daily Nation investigation had quoted mothers describing difficult conditions, including sharing beds, sleeping on the floor, and struggling to afford basic necessities such as diapers and soap.
