Kenyatta National Hospital has launched disciplinary proceedings against one of its staff members following a viral complaint by a distressed parent who alleged corruption, intimidation, and mistreatment during the discharge process in Surgical Ward 4C.

The complaint, raised by Joseph Kinoti on X, gained national attention after he accused a discharge officer of abusing her position, prioritizing acquaintances, and subjecting families to unwarranted delays and penalties during the clearance process.

Parent’s Complaint Sparks Public Outrage

Kinoti said he had waited since the previous day for the discharge of his child, only for the officer to allegedly bypass the queue continuously and attend to people she “seemed to know.”

He wrote that when he questioned the pattern, the officer became furious.

“When I politely told her that what she was doing was unfair, she got angry, banged her office door, and later called me in,” he stated in his viral post.

According to Kinoti, the officer proceeded to fine him Ksh 2,070, accusing him of keeping the child beyond the allowed discharge time.

Despite paying the fee at the Malipo Center, the officer allegedly refused to release his child until he wrote an apology letter “stamped by the area chief.”

“Right now, my baby is being held at KNH just because I refused to bow to corruption and humiliation,” Kinoti lamented, urging authorities to intervene and ensure no other parent undergoes similar frustration.

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KNH Issues Public Apology and Takes Immediate Action

In a press statement dated November 14, the hospital acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and issued an apology to the affected family.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe said the management deeply regretted the distress caused.

“KNH sincerely and unreservedly apologizes to the affected family for the immense frustration and distress caused,” Lesiyampe stated.

“The reported conduct is unacceptable and does not represent the values or the standard of care we are committed to providing at KNH,” Lesiyampe added.

The hospital further confirmed that disciplinary proceedings had begun against the officer implicated in the complaint, emphasizing that the action was fully in line with internal HR procedures.

Hospital Confirms Patient Discharge and Reimbursement

In the same statement, KNH affirmed that the child had since been discharged and reimbursement procedures had been initiated to compensate the family for the inconvenience.

“I wish to confirm that the patient has since been discharged. In addition, the reimbursement to the family has been initiated,” Dr. Lesiyampe said.

He reiterated KNH’s commitment to fairness, compassion, and integrity, assuring the public that such behavior was not tolerated within the institution.

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Kinoti’s Account Raises Broader Concerns

Kinoti’s detailed account highlighted what appeared to be entrenched malpractice within the discharge department.

He described a system in which the officer allegedly controlled the discharge queue at will, often disappearing and returning with handpicked individuals to serve ahead of others.

“We’ve been here since yesterday, yet she just walks out, brings in others, processes them fast, and leaves the rest of us stranded,” he said.

His insistence that he neither insulted the officer nor caused a scene resonated with many Kenyans who reshared the post, prompting widespread calls for accountability in public health facilities.

KNH Promises Thorough Review of Discharge Systems

The hospital emphasized that the incident had prompted internal reflections and would contribute to a broader review of discharge processes across departments.

“We reiterate our commitment to upholding the highest levels of integrity, fairness, and compassion for all our patients and their families,” KNH said.

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Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, CEO, Kenyatta National Hospital. PHOTO/ KNH