Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has extended a helping hand to 110 mothers who were reportedly detained at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital due to unpaid delivery bills.
In a video shared on Tuesday, November 4, Sonko said the move was prompted by a public appeal for assistance after a local newspaper highlighted the women’s plight.
Beyond settling their hospital bills, Sonko also pledged to pay for their Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions, guaranteeing them long-term access to free medical care.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko Rescues 110 Mothers Held Over Unpaid Delivery Fees. Photo: Courtesy.
Sonko also disclosed that he had provided the detained mothers with a small token of financial support as they left the hospital.
Reports suggest that four mothers lost their babies during the period they were allegedly held at the facility, though the hospital insists no detentions occurred.
Mama Lucy Hospital CEO Fredrick Obwanda denied the claims, saying the hospital was safeguarding its finances and following national health policy.
He noted that over 100 women were awaiting bill clearance, exposing the hospital to daily losses of about Ksh2 million, and attributed the issue to their lack of registration with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The CEO noted that despite having a team moving from ward to ward to encourage registration, some mothers still declined to enroll in the social health insurance scheme.
In addition to the alleged detention, the women also accused the hospital of poor treatment, claiming they were forced to sleep on cold benches and share beds, sometimes up to three patients at once.
