Mbagathi Hospital CEO blames govt for crippling services at the facility
Mbagathi Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alex Irungu has called out the government for failing to pay the health facility money owed by the Social Health Insurance.
Irungu made his remarks on Monday, September 15, 2025, during an interview with a local media house, where he accused the Social Health Authority of failing to make payments promptly.
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According to Irungu, the Social Health Insurance owes the health facility at least Ksh167 million.
“SHA does not pay promptly because since SHA started cumulatively as of Monday, September 15, 2025, SHA owes Mbagathi Hospital Ksh167 million,” Irungu said.
Irungu further called out the government for crippling services at the facility due to delays in reimbursements.
“When we raise the claims, there are delays in the reimbursements, and this is just for Mbagathi Hospital,” Irungu added.
In addition, the Mbagathi Hospital CEO also revealed that cumulatively for Nairobi County, the Social Health Authority owes health facilities around half a billion.
“Cumulatively for Nairobi County, the Social Health Authority owes health facilities around half a billion,” Irungu said.
Mbagathi hospital woes with inmates
Mbagathi’s CEO remarks come just days after the High Court ordered the State Department for Correctional Services to pay Mbagathi Hospital at least Ksh10 million within 14 days for medical services rendered to inmates.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued the directive after finding that the government’s failure to settle outstanding hospital bills posed a serious risk to inmates’ access to essential medical treatment.
The court heard that the debt, owed by the Prisons Department and the Ministry of Interior, had triggered a dispute that saw Mbagathi hospital suspend treatment of prisoners over unpaid bills.
The group’s Executive Director, Dr. Wambua Kituku, warned that the suspension exposed prisoners, including those with chronic and life-threatening conditions, to preventable suffering, deteriorating health, and possible loss of life.
In its ruling, the court emphasised that Article 43(1) of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, while Article 51(1) safeguards the rights of those in custody.
“The State cannot abdicate its constitutional duty to provide healthcare to inmates on account of unpaid bills,” Justice Mwamuye stated.
Pending full resolution of the debt, the court issued a conservatory order compelling Mbagathi Hospital to continue admitting and treating inmates referred by the prisons department, whether for emergency or routine care, until October 8, 2025.
