Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Ouma Oluga, has slammed private and public hospitals for inflating medical charges, citing cases where painkillers costing Ksh30 were sold for Ksh1,500.

Speaking at an interview on a local radio station on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Oluga highlighted the systemic nature of the problem, noting that ordinary Kenyans are bearing the brunt of inflated medical costs.

“The level of overcharging is unacceptable. Basic healthcare services are being exploited, and it is our duty to ensure citizens are not defrauded,” he said.

“That Panadol costs Ksh30 bob, but you’ve been charged Ksh1,500 in the hospital. And citizens don’t know. So, in fact, forget about even the claims. Does that happen, though? Yeah, it happens all the time in the private sector,” the PS added.

The PS explained that both private medical insurance providers and government systems are impacted by such irregularities.

He cited an example where a CT scan valued at Ksh 16,000 was being billed at Ksh 35,000, forcing private insurers to suspend services from the offending hospitals.

“This is not limited to a few facilities; the problem is widespread, and we are determined to hold everyone accountable,” Oluga noted.

Oluga confirmed that the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Social Health Authority (SHA), is conducting audits and strengthening oversight of hospitals that inflate costs or submit fraudulent claims.

The reviews have already resulted in the closure or downgrading of hundreds of facilities, both private and public, found violating regulations.

He emphasised that all claims submitted to SHA or other medical schemes must reflect actual services provided.

“If a service was not offered or the charges are exaggerated, action will be taken against the offenders. This is a country-wide issue that requires decisive measures,” Oluga said.

The crackdown follows a wider investigation into SHA payments, which comes after the government revealed claims worth Ksh 5.1 billion are under re-evaluation amid concerns of fraudulent billing.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also noted that the government had observed a worrying trend involving healthcare facilities, including double-charging of patients to defraud the public health insurance scheme.

A baptism ceremony in Kilifi’s Kijipwa area turned tragic on Wednesday, August 20, after a young woman died in the Indian Ocean moments after being baptised.

According to police, a pastor had gathered 24 people for the spiritual event at the Pope area. Nearly half of them had already undergone baptism when disaster struck.

Witnesses said 27-year-old Loice Kahindi Charo had just been immersed in water when she began convulsing and struggling to breathe. She was quickly pulled to the shore, but instead of receiving urgent first aid, pastors and church members continued praying over her, believing her condition to be spiritual.

By the time they realised her health was deteriorating, it was too late. She was rushed to Vipingo Health Facility, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. Police have launched investigations, with the body taken to the mortuary for postmortem.

In Nairobi’s Lindi area, a woman died in a late-night fire that swept through her home in Kibera slums.

Police said the blaze broke out on Wednesday night, engulfing the house. The woman managed to rescue her child but was overcome by thick smoke. She later died upon arrival at a hospital.

Her husband, who was away at the time, returned home only to be met with the heartbreaking news. The cause of the fire is yet to be established.

Meanwhile, police in Nairobi are investigating two mysterious deaths reported on Wednesday.

In Westlands, the body of 40-year-old Gabriel Omondi was discovered lying along Back Street Lane near Unga House, hours after his death.

Separately, in Donholm along Outering Road, the body of an unidentified man, believed to be about 30 years old, was also found. Both bodies were moved to the mortuary pending autopsies as police probe the circumstances.

A Nairobi man has been arraigned in court for allegedly assaulting and robbing a married woman who had repeatedly turned down his romantic advances.

Ambrose Imoh faces charges of robbery with violence against Martha Mwikali, contrary to Section 295 as read with Section 296(2) of the Penal Code. The incident is reported to have taken place on August 13 at Kwa Maji, Njiru Sub-County.

According to police reports, Imoh had persistently pursued Mwikali despite her warnings that she was married and not interested.

After she blocked his calls and messages, he is said to have confronted her at her shop, snatched her mobile phone worth Sh15,000, and physically attacked her.

A pastor who witnessed the altercation told investigators that Imoh first requested to speak with Mwikali before grabbing her phone and assaulting her following a heated exchange.

Mwikali later informed her husband, who appealed to Imoh to return the phone peacefully. Authorities initially gave the accused an opportunity to resolve the matter by compensating the complainant, but he allegedly declined.

Officers from Mowlem Police Station eventually arrested him at his workplace, where they reportedly recovered the stolen phone.

In court, Imoh admitted he had “strong feelings” for Mwikali but claimed he was offended by her rejection. He was released on a Sh300,000 bond without the option of cash bail. The case will be mentioned on October 30.