Man who tried to sell child over Ksh. 1M bill says he’s sorry

A man who was auctioning one of his daughters to clear a Ksh.1.8 million hospital bill for his late wife has said he did it out of desperation.

Peter Njoroge from Kaganda village in Murang`a said his wife’s body had been laying at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital for four months as he could not raise the amount on his own.

His story was aired on several TV stations and well-wishers raised an estimated Ksh.600,000.

Murang’a Women Rep Sabina Wanjiru Chege settled the remaining amount using contributions she indicated were from her colleagues in Parliament. Mr. Njoroge’s wife was finally laid to rest over the weekend.

Ms. Chege, who attended the burial, said she will be table a Bill at the National Assembly that will help Kenyans who are in a similar situation as Mr. Njoroge.

The Murang’a Women Rep, who is also the chairperson of the Health Parliamentary Select Committee, criticised hospitals for detaining bodies in morgues saying they prolong suffering for the bereaved families.

She urged her constituents and other Kenyans in general to ensure that they are covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to help ease the burden of hospital bills.