State Department for Correctional Service, Principal Secretary Salome Muhia has been ordered to appear in court on October 17, over an alleged Ksh12 million bill owed to Mbagathi Hospital.
The ruling came after Muhia had been ordered by the High Court on September 12 to ensure the Kenya Prisons Service pays at least Ksh10 million to the hospital within 14 days.
She was also asked to file an affidavit by September 26, 2025, confirming the payments.
The court said the orders were in effect until October 8, a day after the matter came up for mention and review of compliance with the orders.
Muhia has been summoned to explain why the government had not paid the medical bill, which was owed to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment given to prison inmates since 2018.
Mbagathi Hospital had accused the State Department for Correctional Services of not paying invoices meant for inmates' medications, stating that it had only paid Ksh 6.7 million out of 12 million.
According to the hospital, the correctional department had accumulated pending bills, causing strain in operations.
On September 8, the High Court issued a ruling ordering the hospital to immediately resume medical treatment for inmates referred by the Kenya Prisons Service, despite ongoing financial disputes.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye stated that prisoners should regain essential treatment, stating that many inmates had been left without medical care since August 4, 2025.
The court issued a ruling after the hospital suspended services to inmates, demanding that Kenya Prisons clear the arrears first.
According to the statement by the hospital on August 4, the Correctional Services had paid Ksh6.7 million out of Ksh12 million, prompting them to halt the services.
Muhia appeared before the MPs on April 9 and said that Kenya Prisons are running on a bare budget of just Ksh192 shillings per inmate per day, falling short of the required Ksh275.
The PS added that the amount provided by the government barely covers a loaf of bread and a cup of porridge.
