‘Terrible state’: Senators outraged by lapses, mismanagement at Kiambu Referral Hospital
The senators on Monday found patients stranded in long queues and others waiting for hours due to a malfunctioning IT system that had slowed service delivery across departments.
A surprise visit by the Senate Health Committee to Kiambu County Referral Hospital exposed serious management and infrastructure lapses, prompting lawmakers to call for immediate reforms and stronger oversight from the county government.
Led by committee chairperson Jackson Mandago, the senators on Monday found patients stranded in long queues and others waiting for hours due to a malfunctioning IT system that had slowed service delivery across departments.
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During the inspection, the team interacted with patients and staff to assess the hospital’s operations and the welfare of health workers.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka was particularly disturbed after encountering a family unable to transfer a deceased relative to the mortuary because there was no available stretcher.
“We have good shades for cars here, but what really matters is in a terrible state. The situation has taken me aback,” Onyonka said after inspecting the kitchen, laundry, and broken incinerator.
The oversight mission, part of the Senate’s routine checks on healthcare facilities countrywide, revealed multiple shortcomings at the hospital, including poor sanitation and insufficient equipment in key units.
The committee was also informed that several mothers had remained admitted for months due to unpaid medical bills.
After deliberations with county officials, it was agreed that the pending bills would be cleared under the Wamatangi Care programme to enable their discharge within two days.
Mandago welcomed the move, saying no patient should be detained for lack of funds.
Senators expressed worry over rising teenage pregnancies reported at the hospital and urged the county to intensify public education and community outreach to curb the trend.
They further encouraged residents to enrol with the Social Health Authority (SHA), observing that many patients lacked the cover, worsening their financial challenges.
The senators noted that the hospital’s incinerator had broken down, posing risks in medical waste disposal.
County Assembly representatives in Kiambu County assured them that plans to purchase a new one were included in the upcoming supplementary budget.
The committee also highlighted the need to upgrade the mortuary, recruit more staff, and promote long-serving workers to boost morale and efficiency.
After concluding their visit to Kiambu Hospital, the delegation proceeded to Ruaka Level 3 and Karuri health centres to inspect ongoing projects.
The County Assembly Health Committee was directed to follow up on all the issues raised, ahead of a detailed Senate report to be tabled for discussion in the House.
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