Nairobi, Kenya — Medical care for prisoners in the capital has been thrown into limbo after Mbagathi Hospital suspended treatment of inmates over an outstanding bill exceeding KSh12 million. The hospital says the debt, accumulated since 2018, has strained its operations and left it unable to continue providing services without payment.

Hospital Suspends Services

On August 4, Mbagathi Hospital issued a formal notice to the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) halting inmate treatment until the arrears are cleared. Officials explained that while KPS has paid about KSh6.7 million over the years, more than half of the debt remains unsettled. The mounting bill has, according to hospital management, undermined the facility’s ability to buy medicines, service equipment, and maintain critical care capacity.

Fallout for Inmates

With Mbagathi withdrawing services, prison authorities have been forced to seek alternative hospitals for inmates. The sudden shift has raised concerns for prisoners with chronic illnesses and those requiring consistent follow-up care. Rights advocates argue that denying inmates access to healthcare violates constitutional guarantees and international standards. “Budgetary disputes cannot override the fundamental right to medical treatment,” one advocate observed.

Ongoing Negotiations

The State Department for Correctional Services has begun talks with the hospital in an attempt to resolve the standoff. However, no immediate solution has been announced. Until then, prisons must shoulder the logistical and financial burden of transferring inmates to other hospitals, complicating care delivery and raising security risks.

A Symptom of Wider Fiscal Strain

The dispute highlights a recurring problem across Kenya’s public sector: unpaid debts among state agencies. Recent audits have flagged dozens of government departments and parastatals for failing to settle obligations on time. The National Treasury has warned it may bar indebted institutions from taking on new financial commitments unless they clear existing arrears.

What Is at Stake

Beyond the fiscal dispute lies the welfare of thousands of prisoners dependent on the state for healthcare. Analysts warn that unless the bill is resolved quickly, inmates could face delays or disruptions in treatment, exacerbating health risks in already overcrowded prisons. The Kenya Prisons Service has not disclosed how it plans to manage inmate healthcare in the interim, but pressure is mounting on authorities to act before the situation escalates.