Several snakebite victims at the Kitui County Referral Hospital are being detained over unpaid medical bills, exposing critical gaps in the Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage. Two cases highlight families unable to afford significant outstanding balances after the SHA only covered a fraction of the treatment costs.

• One patient, Purity Mwende, faces a remaining bill of Sh60,000 after the SHA paid Sh18,000 of an initial Sh78,000 for her daughter's snakebite treatment.
• The Social Health Authority (SHA), represented by CEO Mercy Mwangangi, stated that snakebite management is covered under emergency care, but the Nation found that coverage is limited to the first 24 hours and a maximum of Sh6,600 for anti-snake venom.
• Medics note that the actual cost of anti-snake venom can be substantially higher, with a single vial costing Sh6,000 and some patients requiring up to 20 vials.