Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed claims that women are being detained in public hospitals in Nairobi County over unpaid maternity fees, attributing the issue to delays in the processing of hospital fee waivers.
Appearing before the Senate Health Committee on Thursday, Sakaja said the county has a clear waiver policy that ensures indigent patients are not held in hospitals for inability to pay. He urged residents to register with the newly established Social Health Authority to access affordable healthcare.“The delays in waiver processing should not be mistaken for detention,” Sakaja told senators, emphasizing that his administration remains committed to upholding patients’ rights and dignity.
The Senate Health Committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a patient, Rose Wangare, and broader challenges within Nairobi’s public health facilities.
During the session, senators raised concerns about maternal mortality rates, resource shortages, and the working conditions of Community Health Promoters.
Governor Sakaja acknowledged that county hospitals are overstretched due to the high influx of patients but outlined ongoing efforts to expand capacity and improve service delivery.
He cited the revival of stalled health projects, including the completion of a new 400-bed wing at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and the nearing completion of Mutuini Hospital, which will add 120 more beds once operational.
Currently, Nairobi’s public hospitals collectively have 46 intensive care unit (ICU) beds, with 18 at Mama Lucy Kibaki, 10 at Mama Margaret Uhuru, 8 at Mbagathi, and 10 more nearing completion at Mutuini Hospital.
Senators pressed the governor to provide clear timelines for the completion of the stalled projects, underscoring the urgency of addressing health infrastructure gaps across the county.
