Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has once again come to the aid of vulnerable families after clearing over Sh1.6 million in hospital bills for more than 100 mothers who had been detained at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital over unpaid maternity fees.
The mothers, many from low-income backgrounds, had been unable to leave the hospital after giving birth because they could not settle their bills, which ranged between Sh5,000 and Sh100,000.
Sonko said he was moved to act after watching a TV feature highlighting the plight of mothers being held at the facility.
“I saw the story on TV about mothers being detained for unpaid bills. Later, a doctor called me … I gave it two days to see if the situation would be resolved, but when I checked again, nothing had changed. So, I came personally to help,” he told reporters.
The former governor, at the hospital requested an itemized list of each mother’s outstanding balance. Shortly after, he deposited Sh1.6 million into the hospital’s official account, securing the release of the stranded mothers and their newborns.
Images shared on social media showed Sonko at the facility in conversation with administrators and nurses as mothers expressed gratitude for the unexpected intervention. The videos, which quickly went viral, captured moments of relief as women who had been detained for days were finally discharged.
Sonko used the moment to call out hospital administrators and the Nairobi County Government for failing to ensure that expectant mothers were registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme before delivery.
“Many of these women were not registered under SHA, so they couldn’t get coverage even after delivery,” he said.
“We need a system that ensures no mother is detained for bringing life into the world.”
He urged health officials to make pre-delivery registration mandatory for expectant mothers to prevent similar situations in the future. Sonko added that such measures would not only protect vulnerable families but also ease congestion in public maternity wards.
Online reactions poured in following news of Sonko’s visit. Many Kenyans praised him for his compassion and hands-on approach, while others questioned why such humanitarian interventions were still necessary in 2025.
“Sonko may be controversial, but when he acts, he acts big,” one user wrote on X.
Another commented, “We appreciate Sonko’s help, but shouldn’t the government be ensuring mothers aren’t held hostage in the first place?”
This is not the first time Sonko has made a high-profile intervention to assist struggling Kenyans. During and after his tenure as Nairobi Governor, he has been known for philanthropy through his Sonko Rescue Team, which provides emergency medical support, pays school fees, and assists disaster victims.
“When I see Kenyans suffering, I can’t just watch. God has blessed me, and I have to bless others,” Sonko said during the Mama Lucy visit