Mbagathi County Referral Hospital has suspended services of all inmates over an unpaid debt exceeding Ksh12 million owed by the Kenya Prison Service.
In a report released on Sunday, August 24, the hospital announced that the suspension of services to prisoners took effect on August 4, 2025.
According to hospital records, the debt is linked to treatments provided to inmates over several years.
Mbagathi Hospital suspends treatment for inmates. Photo: Courtesy.
As of November 2024, the State Department for Correctional Services had already accumulated arrears of Ksh6.7 million for medical services rendered between July 2018 and November 2022.
Hospital management moreover noted that despite repeated follow-ups, no settlement was made hence leaving the institution unable to meet its operational needs.
Officials further explained that the failure to clear the obligations had strained the hospital’s ability to purchase essential supplies, forcing the suspension.
In response, the Kenya Prison Service issued an appeal urging the hospital to reconsider its decision and allow time to resolve the issue.
