Senior medical consultants at The Nairobi Hospital have publicly defended their decision to seek intervention from President William Ruto, warning that the country’s premier private hospital is facing a deep governance and financial crisis that could threaten its survival.
In a press statement issued in Nairobi on March 16, 2026, the consultants said they had been practicing at the hospital for over two decades and had witnessed what they described as a steady decline in the institution’s governance and financial stability in recent years.
“We, the undersigned, are senior medical consultants who have each been practicing at the Nairobi Hospital for over 20 years. We have seen the hospital at its best, and we have borne witness to its deterioration over the last few years,” the doctors said.
They stressed that the hospital holds a unique place in Kenya’s healthcare system, noting that it sits on public land and has historically served the country’s leaders and thousands of patients across the region.
“The Nairobi Hospital is not an ordinary private entity. It sits on 21.8 acres of public land, granted by the Government under a trust for the exclusive purpose of providing healthcare to the people of Kenya,” the statement said.
“For over 70 years, it has evolved into a national and regional medical pillar. It has cared for Kenya’s founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and former President Daniel arap Moi, and many dignitaries, and has provided superior care to thousands of Kenyans and patients from across East Africa.”
The doctors said they sought presidential intervention because the head of state is the patron of the Kenya Hospital Association, the membership body that owns the hospital.
“It is precisely because of this public character, and because the President is the Patron of the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA)… that we felt it our duty to seek his intervention after many months of endeavours to bring the rival groups to the table and save the Hospital,” they said.
Attempts to Resolve the Crisis
The consultants said they had previously sought help from senior government officials as the crisis escalated.
They revealed that in March 2025 they approached Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, raising concerns about alleged mismanagement and financial impropriety at the hospital.
“In March 2025, we approached the Office of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, and detailed years of mismanagement, financial impropriety, and manipulation of the members’ register by the Board,” they said.
Following the appeal, the matter was reportedly referred to the Attorney General, triggering investigations under the Companies Act.
“Through the Registrar of Companies and exercising her statutory powers under Section 800 of the Companies Act, the Attorney General obtained Search and Seizure Warrants to investigate corporate fraud, malfeasance, and grave non-compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act,” the statement said.
The doctors claimed investigators recovered crucial documents during the operation.
“The resulting operation recovered a treasure trove of documents—some hidden in secret compartments in the Company Secretary’s office, others rescued from the Hospital’s incinerator during an attempt by the Board of Directors to destroy evidence.”
They said the recovered documents now form the basis of ongoing criminal investigations.
In November 2025, the consultants said they also sought the intervention of Aden Duale, the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
“We outlined the continued mismanagement of the Hospital, the challenges we experienced with the insurance boycott that crippled the hospital, and the Board’s failure to provide leadership,” they said.
However, the doctors said those efforts failed to resolve the situation.
“Finally, in March 2026, we sought an audience with the President, our Patron, to appeal for his intervention to save this 70-year-old national institution, which was on the brink of collapse.”
Mounting Financial and Governance Problems
The consultants outlined several issues they say demonstrate the scale of the crisis facing the hospital.
They said audited financial statements show the hospital has suffered massive losses.
“Audited financial statements show the hospital has suffered losses exceeding KES 3 billion, with a deficit of approximately KES 2 billion in 2024 alone,” the statement said.
They added that the hospital is struggling to pay suppliers.
“It is estimated that the hospital owes suppliers in excess of Ksh 4 billion, and some suppliers have suspended delivery of essential drugs and medical equipment, leaving doctors and other medical staff struggling to provide timely and safe care.”
The consultants also raised concerns about missing financial reserves.
“Over the years, cash and cash equivalents reserves of KES 9.1 billion, accumulated through depreciation, have simply vanished or been siphoned out,” they claimed.
In addition, they said legal disputes had escalated sharply.
“The Board’s actions have plunged the hospital into a slew of litigations, with legal fees skyrocketing to over KES 680 million in 2024—all in a bid to retain leadership, and none of these court cases touch on patient care.”
Claims of Membership Manipulation
The doctors further alleged that the hospital’s leadership had manipulated its membership register to influence governance.
“It is a matter of public record that a number of the Board of Directors engaged in a bold-faced move to capture the hospital by loading over 300 individuals into the Members’ Register, who were then transported to the Hospital in buses to vote at the Hospital’s AGM,” they said.
According to the statement, the memberships were paid through a single payment.
“Their membership was paid for through a single lump-sum payment of KES 5 million, without a valid nomination process, vetting, or Board approval, in a direct attempt to rig votes and entrench themselves in power.”
The consultants also cited attempts to conceal evidence.
“The very attempt to destroy documents in the incinerator and hide other documents confirms a consciousness of guilt. This is not the behaviour of innocent servants,” they said.
Alleged Defiance of Court Orders
The doctors further accused hospital officials of ignoring court orders issued in a case before the High Court.
They said conservatory orders were issued in November 2025 by Justice Prof. (Dr.) Sifuna in Milimani HCCC No. E293 of 2025: Peter Wainaina, Maurice Ambani & 8 Others v. Felix Osano, Gilbert Nyamweya & 11 Others.
The orders restrained the board from transacting with the hospital’s financial investments, convening board meetings or holding an annual general meeting, and initiating new capital projects.
“Despite these court orders, the CEO and Company Secretary have knowingly violated these injunctive orders and even called an AGM in a clear attempt to entrench themselves in office,” the consultants alleged.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
The doctors said some recent arrests linked to the dispute were based on evidence obtained during investigations.
“The documents recovered during the Section 800 investigation form part of the basis of the ongoing criminal proceedings, and we believe they are the lawful consequences of evidence uncovered by the Police.”
However, they expressed concern about the arrest of one individual.
“We are concerned, however, that the arrest of Dr. Job Obwaka may be a case where the net cast has caught an innocent person. Dr. Obwaka is not a current member of the Board of Directors, and he was not a member of the Board at the time of manipulation of the register of members. He should be exonerated.”
Doctors Call for Leadership Changes
The consultants emphasized that they are not seeking a government takeover of the hospital.
“Notwithstanding this, this is not a government takeover. The hospital belongs to its members—it cannot be taken away by the government or any one person.”
Instead, they called for accountability and leadership changes at the institution.
“The incompetence and corruption of the Hospital’s Board of Directors must be dealt with, and they ought to resign or be removed,” they said.
“Let the Truth Prevail”
In conclusion, the consultants said their actions were motivated by a desire to protect a vital healthcare institution.
“We are doctors, not politicians. We have taken an oath to save lives, and that includes saving the institution that enables us to serve Kenyans,” they said.
“We want free, fair, and credible elections of Board Members with a good track record.”
They added: “The Nairobi Hospital must be saved—not for any individual, not for any political interest, but for the thousands of patients who depend on it and the generations of Kenyans yet to come.”
The statement was signed by several senior consultants including Dr. Stephen Muhudhia, Dr. Martin Wanyoike, Dr. Joel Toroitich, Dr. David Silverstein, Dr. Florence Murila, and legal advisor Christine Muthoga.
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