The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to call a nationwide strike following what it described as “mysterious arrests” of senior officials linked to The Nairobi Hospital, as pressure mounts on authorities to explain the detentions.
Several hospital-linked officials spent a second night in police custody on Sunday, prompting concern from professional bodies, human rights activists and lawyers.
Senior Officials Held in Police Stations
Among those detained is Dr Job Obwaka, a director at the Kenya Hospital Association and an admitting consultant at Nairobi Hospital.
Obwaka, an elderly doctor, is being held at Muthaiga Police Station alongside Samson Kinyanjui, the vice chairperson of the hospital’s board.
Two other officials—Valery Gaya and former director Chris Bichage—are being held at Pangani Police Station.
Doctors’ Union Raises Alarm
Officials from KMPDU, together with members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), human rights activists and relatives of the detainees, visited Muthaiga Police Station demanding clarification over the arrests.
KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah claimed that Dr Obwaka was taken by officers while attending to patients.
“Obwaka was abducted at his private clinic on Saturday morning while attending to patients,” Atellah said.
The union warned that doctors across the country could take industrial action if the situation is not resolved.
Lawyers Question Legality of Arrests
Faith Odhiambo Kanjama also criticised the arrests, saying Obwaka was reportedly picked up by plain-clothed officers and held without clear charges.
She questioned why the detained officials remained in custody despite existing court protections, including anticipatory bail orders.
Kanjama said the Law Society would support any civil action initiated by KMPDU if authorities fail to release the detainees.
Family Raises Health Concerns
Family members have also expressed concern over the welfare of the detained doctor.
Obwaka’s son said his father suffers from a heart condition that requires medical attention and insisted the doctor is not a flight risk, urging authorities to release him.
Unclear Charges
By Sunday evening, attempts to obtain official charge sheets from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had not been successful.
According to LSK President Kanjama, entries in the police occurrence book suggested that the matter may be related to registration issues linked to Nairobi Hospital’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
However, KMPDU officials said they had been informed that the investigation could involve allegations of document forgery.
Rising Tensions
The arrests come amid an ongoing governance dispute involving the leadership of Nairobi Hospital and the Kenya Hospital Association.
Professional bodies are now warning that continued uncertainty and lack of transparency could escalate tensions within Kenya’s health sector if the matter is not resolved quickly.
