Several directors from The Nairobi Hospital are appearing in court today, Monday, March 16, following their detention over the weekend. The group was driven to Milimani Law Courts ahead of the scheduled arraignment.
Those detained include Dr Job Obwaka, an 83-year-old doctor, director at the Kenya Hospital Association, and an admitting consultant at The Nairobi Hospital, along with the hospital board vice-chairperson Samson Kinyanjui, who are being held at Muthaiga Police Station.
Other directors, including Valery Gaya and former director Chris Bichage, are held at Pangani Police Station.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Dr Obwaka faces up to five charges related to the registration of hospital officials.
The charges include allegedly procuring registration by false pretences:
“Job Lukuru Obwaka, on dates between July 1, 2024, and December 4, 2024, at Nairobi Hospital in Nairobi County, jointly with others and being an officer of Kenya Hospital Association Limited, fraudulently and with intent to deceive, procured registration of 334 people to be members of the said company.”
He is also accused of failing to lodge a copy of the amended articles with the registrar, failing to lodge financial statements, and not ensuring the register of members was properly submitted, contrary to the Companies Act. The other detained officials face the same charges.
The arrests have sparked concern from the medical community. Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) warned it could call a strike over what it termed “mysterious arrests.”
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also raised alarms about the detentions.
KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Bhimji Atellah said Dr Obwaka was arrested at his clinic parking bay at the NSSF Building in Nairobi before being taken to Muthaiga Police Station.
The union claims the doctor was not present when the alleged irregularities occurred, questioning the validity of the accusations.
Concerns have also been raised over Dr Obwaka’s health, as he reportedly has a heart condition that requires medical attention. His family and medical colleagues argue he is not a flight risk and should be granted release.
Both KMPDU and LSK warned they may consider mass action if the detained officials are not released, accusing authorities of ignoring court orders, including anticipatory bail.
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