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At least 37 patients who were being detained in public hospitals for failing to clear their bills have been set free.
This comes after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja pledged to clear the bills for the detained patients in city-county hospitals.
"There are many people who will not enjoy Christmas with their families because they have been detained in hospitals over arrears," Sakaja said on Sunday.
"Those who are in county hospitals among them Mama Lucy and Mbagathi should be released, I will clear their bills, and let them go and celebrate with their loved ones."
And after the governor's pledge, 18 patients have been set free from Mbagathi Hospital and 19 from Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital in Nairobi.
According to the records from the county, the patients had been detained for failing to pay bills accumulating to Sh900,000.
"The Social Works Department in both hospitals are currently vetting other patients who will also benefit from the governor's directive," said a statement from the county.
One of the patients, Peter Mwanzia who was among the lucky patients had been detained in hospitals for 26 days.
He could raise Sh42,000 bill and he was grateful to leave following the directive to be released without paying a penny.
Mbagathi hospital management said they intend to make this gesture permanent and not only during Christmas period.
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