Dr. Job Obwaka, 80, Chair of the Nairobi Hospital Board, was taken for emergency medical treatment after falling ill while awaiting arraignment at Milimani Law Courts on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Dr. Obwaka and other Nairobi Hospital officials had been held in DCI vehicles since early morning. According to preliminary reports, the doctor developed health complications before he could be formally presented before a magistrate.
Medical attention was sought promptly after his condition worsened. Authorities have not yet provided detailed information about the nature of his illness or whether the court proceedings will be postponed.
Meanwhile, four doctors who were arrested alongside Dr. Obwaka on Sunday raised concerns in court about their continued detention, arguing that their constitutional rights were being violated.
Through their lawyers, Danstan Omari, Nelson Havi, and Charles Kanjama, the doctors told the court that although they were within the court premises, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had not yet processed their charge sheets.
“Bring them to court, the doctors are within the court premises,” Lawyer Danstan Omari said.
The defence team noted that the delay had caused confusion, pointing out that the prosecution was still registering the charge sheets even though the doctors had been brought to court earlier.
They argued that two of the doctors are elderly and should be treated with dignity, adding that continued custody while already within the court’s jurisdiction amounts to a violation of their rights.
“The moment someone is arrested they must be brought before court within 48 hours. Once they are within the court’s jurisdiction, the court has the power to give directions,” the lawyers submitted.
The defence asked the court to allow the doctors to remain within the court precincts or be released to go home and return once the prosecution is ready to proceed.
They also warned that failure to issue directions could unfairly place blame on the court for delays that were not caused by it, accusing the prosecution of not promptly presenting the matter despite the doctors’ presence at the courthouse.
The lawyers further informed the court that Dr. Obwaka requires urgent medical attention, and an ambulance was on standby to assist him.
Magistrate Teresiah Nyangena directed that the matter be mentioned again in an hour’s time.
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