Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has once again stepped in to help Kenyans in distress — this time coming to the rescue of more than 100 mothers who were reportedly detained at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital over unpaid maternity fees.
In a heartfelt video shared on Tuesday, November 4, Sonko announced that he had paid the hospital bills for 110 mothers who had been unable to settle their delivery charges.
The former governor said his action was prompted by an appeal for help after a local newspaper highlighted the mothers’ plight.
According to Sonko, this initiative was not only about clearing the existing hospital bills but also about ensuring that the affected mothers and their families would not face similar challenges in the future.
To achieve this, he promised to pay for their Social Health Authority (SHA) registration so they could access free medical services long-term.
“Today was a special day for me as I saw 110 mothers released from Mama Lucy Hospital after I cleared their outstanding bills,” Sonko stated. “As a sustainable solution, I’ve also committed to paying for their SHA fees so they can continue receiving medical care at no cost,” he added.
Known across the country for his generosity and acts of kindness, Sonko revealed that he had also given each of the released mothers a small financial token to help them get back on their feet. However, he did not specify the exact amount given to each mother.
Reports from the ground, however, painted a tragic picture. It was alleged that four mothers lost their newborn babies during the period they were reportedly detained, though the hospital denied holding anyone against their will.
Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Chief Executive Officer Fredrick Obwanda dismissed the allegations, explaining that the facility was simply enforcing financial accountability in line with national health policies.
He acknowledged that more than 100 mothers were awaiting bill clearance, a situation he said placed the hospital at risk of losing approximately Ksh2 million every day.
According to Obwanda, the problem arose largely because many of the affected women had not registered for the Social Health Authority, forcing them to pay cash for services they could not afford.
“In just seven days, the hospital risks losing nearly Ksh10 million. That’s why it’s crucial for every citizen to register for the social health insurance program,” Obwanda said.
He went on to clarify, “The claims that we are detaining mothers are false. Every expectant woman has around nine months to register for SHA. The problem is that many don’t, yet they still expect to receive the same services as those who do.”
The CEO added that hospital staff had made efforts to visit various wards and educate expectant women about the importance of registering for health insurance. Despite this, he said some patients still declined to enroll.
Beyond the issue of unpaid bills, several mothers raised concerns about the hospital’s conditions. Some complained of poor treatment, claiming that they were forced to sleep on hard benches or share hospital beds, sometimes with two or three other patients at once.
Sonko’s intervention has drawn widespread praise from Kenyans online, many lauding him for his compassion and swift action.
The incident has also reignited public debate about the state of public healthcare facilities in Nairobi and the country at large — particularly the plight of low-income mothers who often struggle to access quality maternal care.
The former governor’s move highlights ongoing gaps in Kenya’s healthcare system and the challenges faced by families who cannot afford medical bills. It also emphasizes the need for stronger awareness and enrollment in the Social Health Authority program to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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