Kiambu County Government has dismissed reports that an elderly patient was forced to leave Kiambu Level 5 Hospital on his son’s back after being denied a wheelchair, saying the incident captured in a viral video was staged.
The response follows widespread circulation of a video showing a man carrying his elderly father piggyback through the hospital.
The footage, seen by The Kenya Times, triggered public outrage after reports emerged that the hospital had failed to provide a wheelchair.
In the video, the man could be heard saying that he was forced to carry his ailing father on his back after he was reportedly informed that there are no functional wheelchairs available at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital.
“The one I’m carrying is my father after Kiambu hospital refused to give me a wheelchair,” the man said.
Kiambu County Says Viral Video of Son Carrying Elderly Father Was Staged
Speaking on Saturday, Kiambu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Dr. Elias Maina said the county launched investigations immediately after the video surfaced on social media.
According to Dr. Maina, the elderly man is a regular patient at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital and attends specialist clinics because of an existing medical condition.
He said the patient arrived at the hospital on foot, walked into the consultant’s clinic without assistance, received treatment, and also walked out after the consultation.
“The video was taken on a Monday. The Mzee came, walked into the doctor’s clinic and was attended to by the consultant. He later walked out after receiving treatment,” Dr. Maina said.
He claimed the incident captured in the viral clip happened after the consultation, when the patient and his son were leaving the hospital.
“When they got to the hospital corridor, where there were other people, the Mzee climbed onto his son’s back, and they started recording. This was something that had been planned,” he alleged.
Health CECM Dr. Maina Rejects Wheelchair Claims, Cites Health Investments
Dr. Maina rejected claims that the hospital lacked wheelchairs, insisting the facility has enough mobility equipment for patients who need assistance.
The county health executive further alleged that similar incidents tend to arise whenever the county government announces major achievements in the health sector.
“We have enough wheelchairs and enough stretchers to help patients who require mobility support. Anyone in doubt can visit our hospital and see for themselves,” he said.
“We have seen a pattern where such incidents emerge whenever we are celebrating a major milestone. It is unfortunate that some people have chosen to use hospitals to advance political agendas.”
Dr. Maina described the alleged staging of the incident as unethical and urged members of the public not to politicize healthcare services.
He also defended the county’s investment in the health sector, saying the administration had constructed six new Level Four hospitals and 26 new Level Three hospitals.
“There is no way the county can invest millions of shillings in building hospitals and then fail to buy a simple wheelchair,” he said.
The county’s response comes after the video drew widespread criticism online, with many social media users questioning the quality of services at public hospitals and the availability of basic patient support equipment.
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