Kenyan Pundit

PLEASE HELP GET THE MESSAGE OUT. THE WOMEN ARE BEING DETAINED FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THE DELIVERY FEE OF KSHS 3,400.

We, at KENGO believe that it is our responsibility to hold all public
institutions accountable and to ensure that in the delivery of
services the right of all to dignity is respected. In following up on
the situation at Pumwani, we made a spot check and found the following-

There are 22 women currently being detained at the hospital:

1) MAUREEN AKINYI, SINCE MAY 27, 2008
2) EUNICE ATIENO, SINCE MAY 30, 2008
3) CELINA WAIRIMU, SINCE JUNE 1, 2008
4) DORCAS AMBIYO, SINCE JUNE 3, 2008
5) MARY NJERI, SINCE JUNE 6, 2008
6) JANET MWENDE, SINCE JUNE 7, 2008
7) PAULINE WANJIKU, SINCE JUNE 7, 2008
8) ANASTACIA NDUNGE, SINCE JUNE 10, 2008
9) ROSELINE SHITEJI, SINCE JUNE 10, 2008
10) JANE NJERI, SINCE JUNE 10, 2008
11) MILLICENT BITENGO, SINCE JUNE 10, 2008
12) MICHELLE NJOKI, SINCE JUNE 11, 2008
13) BEATRICE MWAMBUA, SINCE JUNE 11, 2008
14) MARGARET ADHIAMBO(1), SINCE JUNE 11,
2008
15) CAROLINE ATEMBO, SINCE JUNE 17, 2008
16) MARY WAMBUI, SINCE JUNE 17, 2008
17) GRACE WANJIKU, SINCE JUNE 19, 2008
18) ZIPPORAH KWAMBOKA, SINCE JUNE 20, 2008
19) VIVIAN ADHIAMBO, SINCE JUNE 20, 2008
20) MARGARET ADHIAMBO(2), SINCE JUNE 23, 2008
21) ROSELINE MUTHONI
22) IMMACULATE KALEKYE

According to the government of Kenya, all children under the age of
five are entitled to free medical care in any government hospital. The
infants being detained at Pumwani qualify for such medical care,
especially at the point of birth when they and their mothers are most
vulnerable.

The hospital administration will give many excuses to try and explain
the situation (for example claiming that the women have children
needing medical care or have had ceaserian sections). When we talk of
detained women, we talk only of women who have been discharged, but
are unable to go home because they cannot pay fees. None of the 22
women is undergoing treatment. All have been discharged. All are
detained because they are too poor to afford the fees.

We demand to know:
1) Why the women, who are evidently too poor to pay the Kenya
Shillings 3,400 continue to be detained indefinitely
2) How long the hospital plans to hold the women for
3) Why the detained women are mistreated (abused by staff, made to
sleep in twos even when beds are available, given food last and even
then in small portions)
4) What the role of the social worker who is resident at the Pumwani
Maternity Hospital is and why it takes more than a month to assist
women like Maureen Akinyi
5) What is being done to stop the practice.

Once more we are appealing for solidarity to ensure that the women in
Pumwani are released. It is our experience that your intervention-
whether it is through a phone call, a spot check, or any other form of
solidarity- makes a difference. You can reach the Pumwani Maternity
Hospital Administrator through phone number (020) 676 3939.

Help make a positive change for them- Speak out for them, they are so
oppressed that they cannot stand up for themselves. Stand up for them.
Speak up for them. Do something for our collective future.

Call the hospital and demand the release of the detained women and a
complete stop to the practice.

With thanks and in solidarity,

Wangui Mbatia