The Kitui County Government is voicing its concerns regarding the improper discharge of patients from Kitui County Referral Hospital, an issue that came to light after a visit from former Kitui Governor Charity Kaluki Ngilu on Friday, September 4, 2026.
According to the County Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ngilu arrived at the hospital around 3:15 p.m. with the intention of helping mothers pay off their hospital bills. During her visit, the hospital management provided her with the necessary information and billing details.
However, the county government reported that Ngilu then went to the maternity ward and led several patients out through Gate A, bypassing the proper medical and security protocols.
As a result, 19 patients left the hospital without completing the necessary discharge procedures. The county’s statement indicated that 15 of these patients were mothers and their newborns from the Maternity Unit, while the remaining four were from Ward 7.
These patients departed with unpaid hospital bills amounting to KSh328,950, as per the hospital’s records. Additionally, there was one more patient with a KSh15,000 bill, bringing the total outstanding amount to KSh343,950.
The statement noted that Ngilu later contributed KSh215,000 on September 8, leaving an outstanding balance of KSh128,950. The county underscored that patients who struggle to pay their bills should be evaluated and supported through established channels, including the hospital’s waiver committee.
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation expressed no objections to leaders, organizations, or individuals helping vulnerable patients settle their hospital bills. However, it emphasized that such assistance must be conducted through the proper hospital systems to ensure that clinical care and administrative processes are not compromised.
In the wake of this incident, hospital management has begun efforts to locate the 19 patients who left without completing the required procedures.
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