Nakuru County Refutes Claims of Child Detentions at Referral Hospital

The Nakuru County Government has strongly rebuffed reports that children were being held at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital (NCRTH) due to unpaid medical bills. The matter surfaced amid allegations that infants remained admitted past their discharge date pending settlement of fees by the Social Health Authority (SHA). The county’s Health Executive, Roselyn Mungai, described the reports as entirely false and clarified that all surgeries and subsequent care were covered under the SHA programme.
Officials said the clarification coincided with a week-long paediatric surgical camp held between September 1 and 5, 2025, during which 112 children underwent operations. Of these, 81 had already been discharged, leaving 31 still under observation in line with Ministry of Health guidelines requiring a minimum 72-hour post-operative stay. According to the statement, all medical bills were settled by the SHA and residents were not held against their will for debt repayment.
The swift response has stirred mixed reactions. Many parents and children’s rights groups welcomed the county’s prompt clarification, encouraging the public to focus instead on the successful surgical intervention. Others, however, expressed concern about hospital billing practices in public institutions and the potential vulnerability of low-income families facing medical emergencies. Some parents reported being told that their children were stable and ready for discharge yet remained in hospital, citing administrative delays.
Going forward, the county government emphasised its commitment to transparency and urged health partners to continue supporting free or subsidised care for the most vulnerable. Officials also signalled plans to publish regular reports on hospital admissions and billing to rebuild public trust. If followed through, these steps could strengthen accountability in public health services in Nakuru County and ensure that future misunderstandings are addressed proactively.