Mothers detained at Nyamira County hospital over unpaid bills

At least seven mothers, including five students, are being detained at Masaba South Level Five Hospital in Keroka, Nyamira County, due to unpaid medical bills. Some patients have remained at the facility for over two months as management requires settlement of debts before discharge.

The group includes two high school students and three teenage mothers whose education plans have been disrupted. One student reported needing approximately Sh30,000 to settle her bill while her family simultaneously cares for a father with mental health issues.

Many of the detained women cited difficulties in registering for the Social Health Authority (SHA) due to a lack of necessary documentation and resources, leaving them unable to access coverage and facing mounting costs.