Uasin Gishu County Workers Face Medical Crisis as Hospitals Halt Services Over Unpaid Insurance Dues
The suspended services include critical care areas such as inpatient, outpatient, and maternity services, which employees and their dependents must now pay for out of pocket
Hundreds of Uasin Gishu County Government employees are now compelled to cover their own medical expenses after several private hospitals in Eldoret and surrounding areas, contracted under a Ksh 255 million scheme, suspended services due to unpaid dues amounting to millions of shillings.
The news comes amidst growing frustration among the county’s more than 3,600 employees, who are members of the Kenya Union of County Government Workers (KUCGWU). The workers have urged the regional government to terminate its contract with Trident Insurance Brokers, citing substandard service delivery.
One of the private hospitals involved, Lifecare Specialty Hospital in Eldoret, confirmed the suspension of services due to non-payment. “We have informed county government workers that they must pay in cash when seeking treatment at our hospital because we have suspended all dealings with Trident Insurance Brokers,” said Mohammad Rafi, the hospital’s billing manager. Rafi, however, declined to disclose the amount owed.
The suspended services include critical care areas such as inpatient, outpatient, and maternity services, which employees and their dependents must now pay for out of pocket. The workers, through their union leadership, have accused Trident Insurance Brokers of failing to settle their medical bills despite a binding agreement with the county government.
Several lesser-known private hospitals, such as Cedar, Palm Care, Acacia, Racecourse, and Avenue, were contracted under the controversial scheme. Notably, major government hospitals like Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and leading private facilities, including Eldoret Hospital, St. Luke Hospital, TopHill Hospital, and Real Hospital, were excluded from the list.
Isaac Kiptalam, the union branch chairman, criticized the lengthy pre-authorization and communication process with the insurance broker, which he said delays medical attention. “This has forced many staff members to pay for services out of pocket, adversely affecting their productivity,” he noted.
Kiptalam further asserted that Trident Insurance Brokers lack the capacity to adequately provide medical coverage for the county workforce, including Governor Jonathan Bii. He urged the county administration to urgently seek an alternative insurance scheme to alleviate the workers’ suffering and humiliation when seeking medical care.
He also warned that the union would organize mass protests if the county government fails to resolve the issue within the next 14 days.
Speaking to the media in Eldoret, Kiptalam, flanked by branch Secretary Hassan Wangwero and Treasurer Winnie Tenai, expressed regret that county staff are forced to pay for their own medical services despite significant investment in the insurance scheme. “Many workers, both senior and junior, are unable to attend their work stations due to illness,” Kiptalam added.
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