Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has responded to media reports and a viral TikTok video alleging that new mothers were detained at the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital wing in Eldoret over unpaid Social Health Authority (SHA) fees.
September 18, 2025, the MTRH story highlighted claims of overcrowding, shared beds, inadequate meals and mothers unable to leave because they had not cleared or registered for SHA premiums.
“The videos circulating on TikTok offer a glimpse into a world most never see: the maternity wards of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, where mothers and their newborns remain trapped not by medical necessity, but by unpaid bills,” read part of the Nation’s article.
MTRH addresses media reports
In a statement on September 19, MTRH said all mothers received care and attention consistent with the hospital’s standards and that no patient was unlawfully detained.
The hospital attributed any discharge delays to challenges in SHA registration, such as missing identification cards, incomplete birth certificates, or unpaid annual premiums.
“As a client-centric hospital, we remain committed to treating all patients with dignity and care,” said Dr Philip Kirwa, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, while urging families to ensure timely SHA registration to avoid disruptions.
In addition, the hospital stressed that services, meals, and medical supplies at the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital meet required quality standards, dismissing claims that mothers were served leftovers.
Explanation of the hospital’s operations
It explained that teenage mothers lacking identification are provided with temporary IDs to enable SHA enrolment.
Cases of patients unable to pay are reviewed by a credit committee before discharge, ensuring that no one is denied necessary care.
“Congestion may occur when patients have not completed SHA enrolment, but we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health to ease the process,” the MTRH statement noted.
MTRH, a Level Six national referral facility, also pointed out that it frequently receives patients who could be treated at lower-level hospitals, which can create additional pressure on space and resources.
Despite occasional overcrowding, the hospital affirmed its dedication to delivering safe and reliable maternal health services.
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The hospital further pledged to continue supporting SHA sensitisation campaigns so that more Kenyans can access affordable universal health coverage.
It reassured the public that it remains committed to high-quality healthcare and to working with government agencies to prevent administrative hurdles from inconveniencing patients.
The Nation’s Exposé
The Daily Nation article published on September 18, 2025, described how new mothers at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret were allegedly being detained at the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital wing because they had not settled Social Health Authority (SHA) fees.
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The report claimed that some of these mothers were unable to be discharged due to either missing registration documents for SHA, such as identity cards or birth certificates, or because their annual SHA premiums were unpaid.
The article also mentioned issues with overcrowding, shared beds, and complaints about the quality of meals being served.
“We sleep in shifts. Sometimes three people share one bed, while others sleep on the floor. We have no diapers, no soap, no basic necessities. We have no money here to buy those items,” said Melvin Nyagoha,22, in an interview conducted.
In addition, the article raised concerns about teenage mothers, some of whom didn’t have IDs, being delayed in discharge.
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