At least 27 new mothers, including teenagers, are being held at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, over unpaid medical bills — some detained for as long as six months. The issue sparked public outrage after a viral video revealed overcrowded conditions in the maternity ward and testimonies of alleged mistreatment by hospital staff.
The detained mothers, many from low-income backgrounds, claim they are being held due to outstanding bills ranging from Ksh. 20,000 to Ksh. 500,000. Some have reportedly been confined for more than 90 days, despite having been medically discharged.
“We don’t even have pampers or pads. We are really suffering,” said 17-year-old Abigail Chepkorir in an interview with Citizen TV. “When we ask the social worker for help, they insult us and tell us we will remain here.”
Allegations of Verbal Abuse and Poor Conditions
Mothers have described the conditions as inhumane, citing overcrowding, lack of basic necessities, and verbal abuse from staff. The video, which quickly gained traction on social media, shows women crammed into a maternity ward, some with newborns, pleading for assistance.
Hospital Responds
MTRH CEO Dr. Philip Kirwa confirmed that the patients owe the hospital money but denied claims of mistreatment. He explained that systemic issues — such as the lack of proper identification among young mothers — complicate discharge procedures and hinder government coverage under the Social Health Authority.
“The main challenge, even with the teenagers, is that they have no identification or birth certificates. This makes it difficult for us to clear them or for the Social Health Authority to pay,” said Dr. Kirwa.
“It is either they pay cash, or if they are unable, our credit committee reviews their cases.”
He noted that some of the detained mothers have since been cleared and discharged, but did not provide exact figures.
Public and Legal Backlash Growing
The incident has reignited debate on the ethics of hospital detentions, a practice widely condemned by human rights groups. Critics argue that detaining patients over unpaid bills violates their rights and worsens trauma for vulnerable populations, especially young and first-time mothers.
Calls are mounting for the government and healthcare authorities to intervene and ensure access to maternal care is not contingent on financial ability, especially under the newly launched Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
