KMPDU threatens strike over ‘mysterious’ arrests of Nairobi Hospital officials

Those detained include elderly doctor Job Obwaka, a director at the Kenya Hospital Association and an admitting consultant at The Nairobi Hospital, and the hospital board vice chairperson Samson Kinyanjui, who are being held at Muthaiga Police Station.

Another director, Valery Gaya, is being held at Pangani Police Station alongside former director Chris Bichage.

Officials from KMPDU, LSK, human rights activists and family members went to Muthaiga Police Station demanding answers from officers in charge over the detention of Obwaka and Kinyanjui. KMPDU said Obwaka was arrested on Saturday morning from his private clinic while attending to patients.

“Obwaka was abducted at his private clinic Saturday morning while attending to patients,” KMPDU’s secretary general said.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo Kanjama said Obwaka was arrested by plain-clothed officers and questioned why the officials were being held without clear charges.

Obwaka’s son said the doctor has a heart condition that needs medical care, adding that he is not a flight risk and should be released.

KMPDU and LSK said they would consider mass action if the detained officials are not released by midnight, accusing police of violating court orders, including anticipatory bail.

Kanjama said the society supports any civil action announced by KMPDU.

By Sunday evening, attempts to obtain official charge sheets from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had not succeeded.

Kanjama said the occurrence book indicated the matter related to a registration issue tied to the Nairobi Hospital’s 2024 AGM, while KMPDU officials said they had been told the issue involves alleged forgery.