The Nairobi Hospital ‘takeover’ row escalates after arrest of medics, officials

The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) has called for the immediate and unconditional release on bail of veteran obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Job Obwaka following his arrest and continued detention at Muthaiga Police Station, warning that the circumstances surrounding the case raise serious concerns over due process and the rule of law.

In a statement issued yesterday, PSK said the manner in which the senior medical professional was arrested and held by authorities was troubling and risked undermining confidence in the justice system.

The developments come amid a widening controversy surrounding The Nairobi Hospital following claims by DP Party leader and former Attorney General Justin Muturi that President William Ruto is attempting to take control of the private hospital through intimidation and pressure on its board.

In a statement issued last Wednesday, Muturu said over the past year, President Ruto, acting through Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, had sustained threats, blackmail, and coercion targeting the hospital board.

Muturi said was done either directly or via the chairman, Dr. Barkley Mogere Onyambu, a consultant gynaecologist and elder of the SDA Church in Karen.

Muturi alleged that on March 25, 2025, the pressures led to a reshuffle of the hospital board, with seven new members co-opted while seven others were removed.

“The Attorney General, in purporting to order an inquiry into the hospital, assembled a multi-agency team including the DCI, KRA, Financial Reporting Centre, Registrar of Companies, and Asset Recovery Agency,” Muturi said.

“Several directors were summoned to DCI headquarters, and raids were conducted at their homes in an attempt to coerce resignations. These efforts failed because the directors sought and secured court protection.”

Muturi claimed that on March 7, 2026, the chairman of the board received a threatening call from two officers in the Office of the Head of Public Service, Dr. Linda Musumba and Collins Kiprono, ordering the removal of three directors to make way for individuals aligned with the President.

“The call instructed the chairman to remove three directors immediately to pave way for nominees of the state. Failure to comply, they said, would lead to arrests and charges of money laundering. This is nothing short of coordinated blackmail,” he said.

Muturi also accused Asset Recovery officers of restricting vehicles belonging to some directors and managers of the hospital.

Medical and legal organisations have warned that they could consider mass action if the detained officials are not released, accusing authorities of violating court orders, including anticipatory bail granted to some of those arrested.

Obwaka, a director at the Kenya Hospital Association and an admitting consultant at The Nairobi Hospital, was taken into custody over allegations linked to falsifying membership records. However, the pharmacists’ body argued that such administrative functions are typically handled by a company secretary rather than individual directors.

The society said reports that Obwaka has been denied cash bail despite the offence being bailable under Kenyan law were “particularly alarming”.

“PSK stands in full solidarity with Dr Job Obwaka and with the entire medical and healthcare fraternity in Kenya. An injury to one healthcare professional is an injury to all,” the statement said.

The organisation further called on authorities to clearly and transparently outline the legal basis for the arrest and to ensure that any investigations are conducted lawfully and without intimidation. It also urged that Obwaka, described as a senior citizen and distinguished medical practitioner, be treated with dignity and respect.

PSK said it was fully aligned with other professional bodies including the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), and the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) in demanding justice and due process.

The society also encouraged pharmacists and members of the public to gather at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, March 16, 2026, in solidarity with Obwaka as he is arraigned in court.

“Your presence will be a powerful, peaceful statement that the healthcare fraternity stands as one,” PSK said.

The arrest has triggered wider concern within the medical and legal community, with several officials linked to The Nairobi Hospital remaining in police custody for a second night on Sunday.

Among those detained are hospital board vice-chairperson Samson Kinyanjui, who is also being held at Muthaiga Police Station, and director Valery Gaya who is detained at Pangani Police Station alongside former director Chris Bichage.

Officials from KMPDU, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), human rights activists and family members visited Muthaiga Police Station demanding clarity over the arrests.

KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah said Obwaka was arrested while attending to patients at his private clinic.

“Obwaka was abducted at his private clinic Saturday morning while attending to patients,” Atellah said.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo also criticised the arrests, questioning why the officials were being held without clear charges.

Obwaka’s family has also raised concern about his health, with his son revealing that the doctor suffers from a heart condition that requires medical attention. The family insists that he is not a flight risk and should be released.