The Nairobi Hospital board has filed a lawsuit against key government officials, accusing them of interfering with the operations of the private facility.
The defendants named in the petition include Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, DPP Renson Ingonga, DCI Mohammed Amin, KRA, the Registrar of Companies, and Attorney General Dorcas Oduor.
The legal action follows the withdrawal of charges against three hospital officials—Barcley Mogere Onyambu, Dr Magdalene Koki Muthoka, and John Nyiro Mwero—by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Hospital management, led by Gilbert Nyamweya, Akiyi Gaya, Prof John Mwero, and the Kenya Hospital Association, claims the government attempted an unlawful takeover.
The board describes the actions as a “coup” against its private administration, undermining the hospital’s autonomy and governance structures.
In court filings, the board argues that government officials acted beyond their legal mandate, threatening the hospital’s operations and reputation.
The lawsuit seeks to hold the named officials accountable for what the hospital calls unlawful interference.
Legal analysts say the case raises important questions about the limits of government oversight over private institutions in Kenya.
The hospital board maintains that protecting its independence is essential for sustaining investor confidence, while assuring the public that healthcare services remain uninterrupted.
Officials from the Office of the Attorney General and the DPP have yet to comment on the allegations. Observers note that the lawsuit could set a precedent on how private institutions challenge perceived government overreach.
The court is expected to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks to address the board’s petition. Meanwhile, hospital staff and patients have expressed concern over the ongoing legal dispute, although services continue to operate normally.
This case marks a rare confrontation between a private healthcare provider and multiple top government offices in Kenya.
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