Kangemi residents storm hospital to rescue man ‘detained’ over wife's bill

The man had allegedly been detained over his wife's Sh68,000 medical bill. [File, Standard]

Police used teargas to disperse youths who had invaded Eagle Nursing Home in Kangemi, Nairobi as they tried to free a man allegedly detained by the hospital over a bill incurred by his wife.

Youths, led by Gatina ward MCA David Ayoi, had early in the morning stormed the hospital demanding release of Michael Araka Ligare who has been in the hospital since last Wednesday over a Sh68,000 bill balance.

The family had, in three installments, paid a total of Sh52,000 through M-Pesa.

According to Ligare, his wife Sharolin khadi had visited the hospital on Wednesday at 8pm for delivery and developed complications. The baby died at the hospital and the mother was transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital.

"This hospital decided to detain me here and on top of the balance, I am paying Sh1,100 every day. I have even been given a uniform for sick people," said Ligare.

Ayoi said it was unfortunate that the hospital was detaining a healthy person, especially during this period of coronavirus.

Police took Ligera and the hospital representatives, led by an accountant Joshua Mugeni, to Kangemi police station for further questioning.

Mugeni claimed Ligera had voluntarily accepted to remain at the hospital as his family raises the balance to clear the balance.