President William Ruto has waded into the escalating leadership and ownership dispute surrounding The Nairobi Hospital, pledging decisive action against individuals he described as “conmen” attempting to destabilize the institution.
Speaking on Tuesday in Mt. Elgon, the Head of State revealed that senior officials linked to the hospital had reached out to him, seeking urgent intervention over what they termed as an attempted takeover.
Ruto said his administration would not hesitate to take firm legal action against those implicated in alleged fraudulent dealings, insisting that the hospital must be protected to continue serving Kenyans.
“I have instructed with clarity that all those who are involved in fraudulent activities in Nairobi Hospital will be removed, taken to court, charged and Nairobi Hospital is going to serve the people of Kenya,” said the President.
He further emphasized the national importance of the facility, vowing that the government would defend its integrity at all costs.
“We are going to stand with Nairobi Hospital. It is an institution that serves the Republic of Kenya and we are going to defend its right to exist and we are going to stop at nothing,” he added.
Arrests and Charges Rock Hospital Leadership
The President’s remarks come in the wake of dramatic arrests involving top officials linked to the hospital and its governing body, Kenya Hospital Association.
Among those arrested are:
- Dr. John Obwaka, an admitting consultant
- Samson Kinyanjui, Board Vice-Chairman
- Valery Gaya, a director
- Chris Bichage, a former director
The four were later arraigned in court and charged with multiple offences, including conflict of interest, unlawful receipt of benefits, and failure to comply with financial reporting laws.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kinyanjui and Bichage allegedly received millions of shillings from an insurance agency contracted by the hospital’s governing association.
Prosecutors also claim that the accused, alongside other officials, failed to meet statutory financial reporting obligations. Dr. Obwaka is specifically accused of failing to file financial statements for 2022 and 2023, while a broader group is alleged to have neglected submission of 2024 records.
Political Storm and Opposition Claims
The unfolding saga has quickly taken a political turn, with opposition leaders accusing President Ruto of having vested interests in the hospital’s affairs.
The United Opposition has alleged that the President is seeking to gain control or influence over the premier medical institution—claims that have intensified public debate.
However, the government has moved to clarify the hospital’s ownership structure.
Duale Clarifies Ownership Structure
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale dismissed claims of a potential takeover, stating that Nairobi Hospital is owned by the Kenya Hospital Association and operates as a company limited by guarantee.
He explained that such a structure means:
- The hospital is member-owned
- It has no shareholders
- It cannot be sold, privatized, or acquired
Duale also noted that the President traditionally serves as the hospital’s patron, underscoring its status as a key national and regional referral facility.
Ruto: ‘We Will Not Allow Fraudsters to Take Over’
Reaffirming his stance, President Ruto said he had been personally approached by senior professionals urging him to step in and protect the hospital from individuals seeking to exploit it.
“Senior doctors, senior professionals from Nairobi Hospital approached me to save Nairobi Hospital from conmen, fraudsters and charlatans who wanted to expropriate it,” he said.
“There is no way I am going to allow Nairobi Hospital to be taken hostage by fraudsters.”
Growing Public Interest
The Nairobi Hospital saga has triggered widespread public concern, with many Kenyans closely following developments at one of the country’s most respected healthcare institutions.
As investigations and court proceedings continue, the case is expected to test governance, transparency, and accountability standards within major private-public institutions in Kenya.
