Mbagathi CEO Raises Alarm Over Sh167 Million Debt Owed by SHA

Mbagathi Hospital Chief Executive Officer Alex Irungu/SCREENGRAB

Mbagathi Hospital Chief Executive Officer Alex Irungu has faulted the government for failing to settle millions of shillings owed to the facility by the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Speaking on Monday during an interview, Irungu revealed that SHA has delayed reimbursements for months, leaving the hospital grappling with financial strain.

He noted that as of September 15, the authority owed Mbagathi Hospital at least Ksh167 million.

“SHA does not pay promptly because since it started, cumulatively as of today, SHA owes Mbagathi Hospital Ksh167 million,” Irungu said.

He warned that delayed payments have crippled service delivery at the hospital, adding that the situation is not unique to Mbagathi.

According to Irungu, facilities across Nairobi County are also struggling, with the authority owing them nearly half a billion shillings.

“Cumulatively for Nairobi County, the Social Health Authority owes health facilities around half a billion,” he explained.

The concerns come just days after the High Court directed the State Department for Correctional Services to pay Mbagathi Hospital at least Ksh10 million within 14 days for treating inmates.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye, in his ruling, found that the government’s failure to clear the debt risked denying prisoners essential medical care.

He emphasised that Article 43(1) of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, while Article 51(1) protects 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 ruled.

Pending full settlement of the debt, the court ordered Mbagathi to continue admitting and treating inmates referred by prisons until October 8, 2025.