Private healthcare providers in Mombasa county have accused county officials of harassment, corruption, and blatant disregard for court orders, a situation they say has crippled health service delivery in the region.

The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) claims that the alleged misconduct by county officials has forced some private health facilities to close, leaving patients stranded and healthcare provision in limbo.

Speaking at a press briefing in Mombasa, RUPHA National Chairman Dr. Brian Lishenga accused the county of unlawfully demanding single business permit fees from private healthcare providers despite existing court orders prohibiting the levy.

“In 2021, the High Court of Kenya issued conservatory orders suspending the payment of single business permit fees for our members across all counties, including Mombasa. These fees were deemed an undue burden and a form of unconstitutional double taxation, as outlined in Article 209(5) of the Constitution,” Dr Lishenga explained.

The court orders remain in effect pending a final determination of the case scheduled for hearing on December 5. However, Dr Lishenga said Mombasa County has continued to demand the fees, allegedly confiscating equipment, arresting staff, and shutting down facilities in defiance of the court directive.

“Forty-three of our facilities in Mombasa have faced harassment. In some instances, county officials have seized vital equipment such as laboratory machines and ultrasound scanners. This blatant misconduct has led to closures, leaving healthcare workers demoralized and patients without essential services,” he said.

RUPHA’s Mombasa Branch Chair, George Makori, described the situation as a crisis, with medics being arrested in front of patients and bundled into lorries, disrupting critical services.

“You can imagine a doctor being handcuffed on a weekend, leaving patients suffering. Some of our members are closing their facilities due to these problems. Others have loans they can no longer service,” he lamented, calling for dialogue with the county government.