Nairobi Hospital assures Kenyans of stability amid governance dispute

The Nairobi Hospital

The Nairobi Hospital has assured patients, staff, and stakeholders that the facility remains stable and fully operational despite ongoing governance disputes involving its parent body, the Kenya Hospital Association.

The hospital said all clinical and support services continue uninterrupted and that operations across its departments remain normal.

In a statement on Monday, Nairobi Hospital Board of Management Chairman Barcley Onyambu noted that the framework continues to guide its commitment to transparency, responsible management and high standards of governance.

“For over seven decades now, The Nairobi Hospital has operated under the Articles of Association of the Kenya Hospital Association, which provides the governance framework guiding oversight, accountability and institutional stewardship,” he said.

However, the institution said it would not comment on governance disputes currently before the courts, noting that the issues are part of an ongoing judicial process.

“The hospital is aware of matters currently before the courts concerning governance issues. These matters are part of an ongoing judicial process and are therefore sub judice,” he added.

The hospital also clarified that official communication on its behalf is only issued through the office of the chairman of the Board of Management or the office of the chief executive officer, Felix Osano.

It cautioned the public against relying on statements circulated through other channels, saying such messages should not be treated as official communication from the hospital.

The statement comes amid heightened public interest over governance and leadership issues affecting the Kenya Hospital Association, which owns and manages Nairobi Hospital.

Tensions around the hospital’s leadership escalated after the arrest of senior officials linked to the Kenya Hospital Association board.

Among those arrested was Dr Job Obwaka, an admitting consultant at the hospital and a KHA director. Also taken into custody were board vice chairperson Samson Kinyanjui and another director, Valery Gaya. All the suspects have since been released on a free bond of Sh5 million

Dr Silverstein said he knows Obwaka personally and expressed confidence that the truth would emerge.

“He is a good person. Maybe he was just with the wrong group,” Silverstein said. “I believe the truth will eventually set him free.”

The arrests triggered strong reactions from doctors’ unions. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) warned that medical staff could withdraw their services if the detained officials are not released.

KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah demanded the immediate release of the officials, saying the union would not hesitate to call a strike.

Obwaka, 83, was reportedly arrested at his parking bay at the NSSF Building in Nairobi, where his private clinic is located.

The unfolding drama has also drawn political attention. Opposition leaders, including Justin Muturi and Kalonzo Musyoka, have criticised the arrests, accusing senior government officials of attempting to forcefully take control of the hospital.

“This is intimidation of medical professionals,” Muturi said, warning that the government should stay out of the hospital’s internal affairs.