Nairobi Hospital officials in court after mysterious arrest

The officials include Dr. John Obwaka, an admitting consultant at the Hospital, as well as a Director at the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), Nairobi Hospital Board vice-chairman Samson Kinyanjui, another director, Valery Gaya and former director Chris Bichage.

Dr. Obwaka and Kinyanjui were held at the Muthaiga police station for two nights, while Valery was held at the Pangani police station alongside Bichage.

On Monday, the four were held at the Law Court's parking area inside a Toyota Land Cruiser as their defence lawyers demanded that they be presented in court for the matter to be heard.

Senior Advocate Cliff Ombeta said that the officials are being detained despite having anticipatory bail, while Lawyer Danstan Omari said, "the car park belongs to the chief magistrates. We request that they be brought to court instead of being held in the boot of police cars."

Officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) had warned the arrest could spark a strike over what it termed mysterious arrests, with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also raising alarm.

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 at his private clinic while attending to patients.

LSK President Charles 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.

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

This comes as Citizen TV has established that President William Ruto’s name has been invoked in a series of meetings in which senior government operatives are alleged to have pushed for changes in the hospital's board, amid claims of intimidation and an intensifying scramble for control of the multi‑billion shilling facility.

Sources familiar with the meetings told Citizen TV that on Monday, March 9, 2026, the chair of the Nairobi Hospital board, Dr Barcley Onyambu, was summoned to the Office of the President in Harambee House and instructed to cause three vacancies in the board.

The sources said Onyambu was given names to fill the positions and told the President wanted the changes effected within the week.

The officials at the meeting were described as being associated with the Office of the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.

Citizen TV has also established that other meetings have allegedly been held at both Harambee House and State House to discuss the management of the hospital.

Dr. Obwaka's arrest has been cited by insiders as a turning point.