Shocking details have emerged from an audit report showing that more than 50 children under the age of five died at the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital.
The revelations appear in the latest audit report released by Nancy Gathungu for the financial year ending June 2025. The report also shows that the hospital faces serious financial challenges that raise concerns about its ability to continue operating smoothly. (Fully Report Here)
High Infant and Maternal Deaths
According to the report, the hospital recorded 434 live births during the period under review. Out of these births, 11 newborn babies died within their first 28 days of life.
Seven women also died during childbirth.
The report further reveals that 50 children under the age of five died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
These figures translate into worrying mortality rates. The neonatal mortality ratio stands at 25 deaths for every 1,000 births. The maternal mortality ratio stands at 1,613 deaths for every 100,000 live births. The under-five mortality ratio stands at 115 deaths for every 1,000 births.
These numbers are far above the limits set under United Nations development targets. Under Sustainable Development Goals Goal 3, countries aim to reduce maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 births. The target also aims to reduce newborn deaths to 12 per 1,000 births and under-five deaths to 25 per 1,000 births.
Hospital Faces Financial Crisis
The audit report also shows that the hospital is facing a serious financial crisis.
The hospital reported a deficit of Ksh526.4 million during the financial year. This followed a deficit of Ksh1.46 billion recorded the previous year.
The losses pushed the hospital’s total operating deficit to more than Ksh1.4 billion.
Because the hospital recorded losses for two consecutive years, the auditor warned that the institution may struggle to meet its financial obligations.
“In the circumstances, the hospital is technically insolvent and may not be able to meet obligations as and when they fall due,” the report states.
Questions Over Patient Bill Waivers
The audit also raised questions over waivers granted to patients who could not afford treatment.
According to the report, the hospital waived bills worth Ksh139.3 million without proper documentation. Many of these waivers lacked supporting reports explaining why the hospital approved them.
A four-year analysis also revealed that the hospital had waived patient bills totaling Ksh699.8 million since the 2021/2022 financial year.
Long Waiting Times for Treatment
Patients seeking specialized treatment at the hospital also face long waiting times.
A review of booking records at the hospital’s Cancer Treatment Centre shows that patients wait an average of 62 days before receiving an appointment.
Heart patients wait even longer. The report shows that cardiology patients wait an average of 82 days, with some waiting between 31 and 130 days.
The auditor noted that such delays raise concerns about how the hospital manages critical patients.
Shortage of Medical Supplies
The report also highlights serious shortages of medical supplies.
An inventory review found that 509 medical commodities were completely out of stock. Another 10 items had fallen below the minimum required levels.
These shortages caused missed sales worth Ksh34.7 million.
Rejected Medical Claims
The audit also found that claims worth Ksh41.4 million were rejected by the Social Health Authority.
The rejected claims involved 499 patients. According to the report, the claims failed because hospitals did not attach required documents or because services exceeded insurance limits.
Problems with Hospital Systems
The report also raised concerns about the hospital’s management systems.
The hospital purchased a Hospital Management Information System at a cost of Ksh69.8 million. However, the expenditure modules have never been used.
Instead, staff recorded transactions manually using Excel sheets, which lacked clear links to the hospital’s budget and accounting systems.
Procurement and Staffing Concerns
The audit also identified procurement irregularities at the hospital.
Goods worth Ksh351.1 million were purchased from suppliers whose contracts had already expired. Hospital management extended these contracts without competitive bidding.
The report also questioned legal fees amounting to Ksh3.2 million because procurement records did not clearly explain the terms of engagement.
In addition, the hospital failed to meet ethnic diversity rules. The audit found that 43 percent of employees came from a single ethnic group.
Growing Concerns
The report paints a troubling picture of one of Kenya’s major referral hospitals. High mortality rates, financial losses, shortages of medical supplies, and management weaknesses raise serious questions about the hospital’s operations.
About The Author
