Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed reports that more than 100 women were held at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital over unpaid maternity bills, calling the claims “inaccurate and misleading.”

Speaking before the Senate Health Committee on Thursday, Sakaja said no patient had been detained at the facility’s maternity wing due to failure to pay fees. Instead, he explained, the delays were caused by a review process for fee waivers, which takes time to verify and approve.

“We do not retain women in facilities; it is the waiver period that took some time, and that is what we are refining,” Sakaja told senators. “Facilities cannot run if payments are not made, but that does not mean patients are detained.”

Hospital Waiver System Under Review

The governor said the county operates a waiver system that supports financially challenged patients. The process, he noted, is handled by a special committee that meets weekly to determine eligibility for assistance.

According to Sakaja, Mama Lucy Hospital also runs a care initiative that connects needy mothers with well-wishers and helps others enrol in the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme to reduce their medical burden.

“These mechanisms are designed to ensure no mother or patient is left behind because of poverty,” Sakaja said.

Background: Reports of Detained Mothers

His remarks followed a public outcry earlier in the week after reports circulated that over 100 mothers and their newborns were being held at Mama Lucy Hospital for failing to clear maternity bills.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko drew public attention to the issue after announcing that he had personally settled hospital bills for 110 mothers allegedly detained at the facility.

While Sonko’s act drew praise online, Sakaja insisted that the reports of detentions were exaggerated and misunderstood.

Expanding ICU Capacity in Nairobi Hospitals

Sakaja also used the opportunity to highlight the county’s investment in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).

“Before I became governor, Nairobi had zero ICU capacity in public hospitals,” he said. “Today, we have 18 ICU beds at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, 10 at Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital, and 8 at Mbagathi Hospital, along with new neonatal ICU units.”

He added that previously, Kenyatta National Hospital was the only public facility with ICU services — a gap the county is now closing to strengthen emergency care across Nairobi.

Looking Ahead

Sakaja said the county government is refining its waiver and billing systems to ensure patients receive timely discharge without financial distress.

“We are fixing the bureaucracy,” he said. “The goal is to deliver quality healthcare without punishing those who can’t pay immediately.”

For now, the governor’s assurance offers some relief to anxious families — though questions remain about the pace and transparency of the county’s hospital waiver process.