Hundreds of Mombasa residents who had been detained in public hospitals over unpaid medical bills are finally reuniting with their families in time to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, following a county-backed intervention that cleared their debts.

The three-day initiative, which concluded today, facilitated the discharge of patients who had completed treatment but remained confined due to outstanding bills.

In total, 480 patients at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital benefited from the program.

The effort was made possible through a partnership between the county government and donors, including the Shariff Nassir Foundation, who stepped in to fully settle the pending balances.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir described the move as a timely and compassionate gesture during the Eid festivities.

He directed health facility managers and local administrators to ensure the immediate discharge of all eligible patients, emphasizing that the support was extended to all, regardless of background or religious affiliation.

Beneficiaries and their families expressed overwhelming gratitude, noting that the intervention had restored not just their freedom but also the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together at home.

Jimmy Mumbo, who had been admitted on January 4, 2026, following an accident in Bombolulu, remained hospitalized for weeks after undergoing surgery. With a bill totaling Sh190,000, his discharge had been impossible—until now.

“I want to thank the Governor for clearing our bills. My family will be surprised and overjoyed. They will wonder where I got the money,” Mumbo said.

His sister, Mnyazi Mumbo, said the family had been anxiously waiting for help.

“We were stuck here with no way out, hoping for a well-wisher. Back home, our family will be overjoyed because they did not know when they would see him again,” she said.

Paul Njuguna, a long-term diabetes patient, was admitted earlier this week after a fall at home that left him with a broken foot. His bill had already exceeded Sh50,000.

“I sincerely thank the Governor. I had no means to clear the bill,” Njuguna said.

Samuel Kinyua also expressed appreciation after his relative was discharged under the program.

Meanwhile, John Ngugi, who suffered a fracture while at work, had received partial support through the Social Health Authority (SHA), which covered Sh336,000 of his Sh444,000 hospital bill.

However, the remaining Sh108,000 had left him stranded in hospital for over a month.

“I am thankful,” Ngugi said.