Public outcry over CS Nakhumicha’s update on payment of protestors' medical bills

An update by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on the health status and hospital bills of casualties of the anti-government protests has sparked an uproar on social media.

In a statement on Wednesday, the CS claimed that over 235 Kenyans injured during the protests were treated for various injuries for free and later discharged. The 235 allegedly treated patients were out of 294 casualties who were attended at various referral hospitals.

"My attention has been drawn to efforts by some individuals to raise funds from the public to pay hospital bills for people injured during the demonstrations... 58 are still admitted, with 1 in the ICU  and 3 waiting for theatre. We wish them a quick recovery," she claimed.

However, a section of online users responded to her statement after Kenyans in the last two weeks have been raising funds for those injured during the demonstrations.

"So when Hanifa  (Hanifa Adan) shares the invoices with you and the proof of payment, they will repay her all the money sent? If they can't do that, stop tweeting rubbish here. Not everyone is a fool like a UDA voter!" Wahinya Charlie responded.

"Stop playing tricks with the Kenyans' resolute and absolute right move. Hata kama unaogopa kufuatwa kazi (even if you fear losing your job). You have failed. Leave Kenyans alone," Japeth Ekidor~Doyen added.

"Shouldn't you rather be grateful and commend that citizens want to help their fellow Kenyans? Meanwhile, have you visited any of the injured in the hospital or even the Bereaved families, Madam CS Health!" A tweep going by the username Captain. Exuberant Gentleman wondered.

"All the time umekuwa wapi lakini....umekuwa wapi....do you mean it's this morning you've seen this act? How hard (or slow) is it for your attention to be drawn to serious issues? Where was your statement before? You're the same people we're urging the president to deal with perpendicularly," Edwin Manoti condemned the CS.

Other online users urged the CS to table her evidence. Others stated that Hanifa Adan, an Eastleigh Voice reporter, who mobilised funds to support the injured and bereaved, had already confirmed that some hospitals had plans to waive bills.

Police fire tear gas at protesters on Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi on July 2, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

"However/whatever drew your attention to this, it is so late. Citizens came in to rescue your own while you were having attention disorder. And yes, Hanifa already told citizens that there are some bill waivers from government facilities. So you're late in getting this information. Don't you see it becoming an alternative to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)?" Eric Musyoki argued.

As of June 26, 2024, at least 165 injured protestors had been admitted at the Kenya National Hospital (KNH) on Wednesday as human rights groups warned Kenyan police against using excessive force during the demonstrations, which have left at least 23 people dead.

The protests began on June 18 against the proposed Finance Bill 2024. In response to the turmoil, young Kenyans have come together through various platforms to organise fundraising campaigns, utilising social media, crowdfunding websites, and community networks.

Nearly Sh29.7 million was raised as of July 2, 2024. The funds were channelled through an M-Changa account set up by social activist and Eastleigh Voice reporter Hanifa Adan.

On Friday, June 28, 2024, Hanifa sent Sh2 million to support the funeral expenses of Rex Kanyike Masai and Evans Kiratu, who were reportedly shot by police during the demonstrations.

Hanifa, who has been giving updates on her X handle, including posting receipts, has also been paying for hospital bills, funding funerals and assisting the families of the victims of the two-week protests.

Reacting to CS Nakhumicha's update, Hanifa said that through M-Changa,  the youths have been paying medical bills in public hospitals.

"Another fact check. We've been paying for Moi Referral Hospital, We're paying for Embu Level 5 and other public hospitals as well. Even people in Mbagathi, we visited them, and we are waiting for the invoices. I'm repeating, do not play politics with people's lives," she posted.

Hanifa further explained that while Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) waived medical bills, there are still patients have yet to receive surgery.

"We transferred five people from KNH to Nairobi West and they're doing well. KNH refused for people to be transferred after that and started politics. When I first visited KNH, they sent out memos after that for people not to come visit without special orders. Mind you, they're refusing to transfer people and I'm having a hard time helping them," she added.

Another activist, Boniface Mwangi, also told the CS that some hospitals discharged patients who were still in need of medical attention and shared payment receipts.

"Yesterday (Tuesday), l personally moved a patient who was discharged from KNH to a private hospital after Mama Lucy refused to admit him. His situation became worse after being discharged but the government hospital refused to take him back. CS Nakhumicha, I have receipts," he countered.

Mwangi further urged the CS to construct more theatre rooms at KNH as the hospital was overwhelmed last week by gunshot wound victims and waiting lines in surgery rooms.

Paramedics attend to an injured protester during demonstrations against Finance Bill 2024, in Nairobi on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)