BUSIA: The County Government of Busia has strongly denied claims that patients, particularly women, are being detained against their will at the Busia County Referral Hospital (BCRH) over unpaid medical bills.

Deputy Governor Arthur Odera, who also serves as the County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Health, at a press briefing in Busia town, noted that the facility strictly adheres to a 90-day directive regarding the management of unpaid bills before discharge.

Dismissing the online claims as “distorted, slanderous, and detached from reality,” Dr Odera criticized those responsible for the reports for failing to contact the facility for verification.

“There were allegations that some bills were paid and we never released the patient, and that some women are not being treated humanely,” Dr Odera stated.

“The reality is that most hospitals in Kenya end up holding individuals who have received services but failed to pay. We will continue to hold those who owe money to the facility.”

The Deputy County boss stated that every patient currently held at BCRH or any other county facility is there solely because of outstanding hospital bills for services already rendered, a practice he noted is legally permissible under Kenyan law.

He emphasized that none of the individuals currently held have disputed the debts they owe.

“The bottom line is that anybody being held in our hospitals is held because they owe money for services received. They should pay to help our facilities run smoothly and offer standard services,” he said.

The waiver process, strain on resources

The Deputy Governor clarified that the county operates a structured, legally guided waiver process for economically vulnerable patients.

This process, overseen by social workers and a hospital waiver committee, includes home visits to assess whether a patient qualifies as a “deserving case.”

When a case is approved, the debt is written off and the patient is discharged.

In April 2026 alone, the county waived Sh331,000 in hospital bills, a figure Dr Odera acknowledged is placing a growing strain on hospital operations.

Dr Odera identified three specific challenges complicating the current situation, first there are patients who are financially capable of paying but refuse to do so.

The second category is that of individuals from neighboring countries who lack Kenyan identification and cannot be enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA) platform.

The final group is that of Kenyan adults and minors without proper documentation, for reasons that remain unclear to authorities.

Dr Odera warned that if the county continues to waive bills for those capable of paying, hospital funds will be depleted, ultimately compromising care for those genuinely in need.

Sensational reporters

The Deputy Governor condemned the viral recordings of detained patients, stating that those who circulated the footage acted “out of order.” He accused them of manufacturing sensation and making it harder for healthcare workers to perform their duties.

“If you’re dealing with someone who is capable of paying but has refused, our only resort is to keep them until they pay, and we will continue to do that,”

He urged residents to maintain their SHA contributions to ensure they are covered and avoid the distress of hospital detention.