Dr Chris Obura, former Nairobi Hospital Chairman, dies

Obura died on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, according to a condolence statement issued by the chairman of the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) Board of Management, Dr Barcley Onyambu, on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Onyambu conveyed condolences on behalf of the association’s board, management and the entire Nairobi Hospital fraternity, describing Obura’s passing as a moment of profound sorrow.

"It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that, on behalf of the Board of Management of the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), Management, and the entire Nairobi Hospital fraternity, I convey our deepest condolences following the passing of Dr Chris W Obura on 13th October, 2026,” the statement read.

Obura was remembered as a pioneering African doctor at The Nairobi Hospital who later rose to become chairman of its Board of Management, where he helped steer governance reforms, modernisation and expansion projects.

His death comes just months after The Nairobi Hospital paid tribute to veteran gynaecologist Job Obwaka following his death at the age of 83.

In a statement issued on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the hospital’s Board of Management said it had received the news with profound sorrow and described Obwaka as a respected doctor and leader who served the institution for many years.

Chairman Barcley Onyambu said Obwaka made a lasting contribution to both patient care and hospital leadership.

“It is with profound sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of Job Obwaka, a distinguished member of our medical fraternity and a valued leader within The Nairobi Hospital,” the statement said.

According to the condolence message, Obura was the pioneer African doctor to care for patients at The Nairobi Hospital, an institution where he would later assume a leadership role.

During his tenure as chairman, he oversaw changes aimed at strengthening the hospital’s governance, modernising its operations and expanding its facilities.

“Dr. Chris Obura was the pioneer African doctor to care for patients at The Nairobi Hospital where he later rose to the position of Chairman of the Board of Management,” Onyambu stated.

The statement credited him with shepherding impactful governance reforms, operational modernisation and capital expansion projects that helped position the hospital as a leading healthcare institution in Eastern and Central Africa.

“His legacy at The Nairobi Hospital shall live to serve generations of mankind,” the chairman added.

Obura’s contribution extended beyond his work at the hospital, with his professional career spanning dentistry, medical education, public health and corporate leadership.

Obura was a trained dentist who pursued his education at Makerere University before undertaking further studies in the United Kingdom.

His professional qualifications included dental training at the University of London’s Guy’s Medical and Dental School and the Licentiate in Dental Surgery qualification from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, according to a professional profile published in ICEA Lion’s 2018 integrated report.

He returned to Kenya and served as Chief Dental Officer in the Ministry of Health from 1965 to 1971, contributing to the development of the country’s dental services.

He also served as an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi’s medical school between 1968 and 1971 and worked as a consultant dental and oral surgeon at Kenyatta National Hospital.

His leadership roles included chairing the Kenya Hospital Association and The Nairobi Hospital between 2002 and 2012, according to ICEA Lion’s 2018 integrated report.

The combination of his medical background and corporate experience placed him at the intersection of healthcare delivery, institutional governance and business leadership.

His work at The Nairobi Hospital was particularly significant, given the institution’s role in Kenya’s private healthcare sector and its reach beyond the country.