Details have emerged about the charges that detained officials from The Nairobi Hospital are expected to face after spending the weekend in police custody. Authorities confirmed that the officials will be arraigned in court on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The group remained in custody for a second night on Sunday, prompting concern from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which warned it could call a strike over what it described as mysterious arrests.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also raised alarm about the circumstances surrounding the detentions.
Among those detained is Job Lukuru Obwaka, an 83-year-old medic who serves as a director at the Kenya Hospital Association and an admitting consultant at The Nairobi Hospital.
He is currently being held at Muthaiga Police Station together with hospital board vice-chairperson Samson Kinyanjui.
Another director, Valery Gaya, is being held at Pangani Police Station alongside former director Chris Bichage.
According to investigators, Dr Obwaka faces up to five charges related to the registration of hospital officials. One of the accusations involves allegedly procuring registration by false pretences.
Investigators claim that between July 1, 2024, and December 4, 2024, at Nairobi Hospital in Nairobi County, Obwaka, together with others and while serving as an officer of the Kenya Hospital Association Limited, allegedly procured the registration of 334 people as members of the company with intent to deceive.
He is also accused of failing to lodge a copy of amended articles with the Registrar as required under the Companies Act. Another charge states that on or before December 31, 2024, the directors allegedly failed to submit the amended articles for registration.
Investigators further allege that the officials failed to lodge financial statements with the Registrar and did not ensure that the register of members was properly filed. The other detained officials are expected to face similar charges.
KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Bhimji Atellah said the elderly doctor was arrested at the parking area of the NSSF Building, where his clinic is located, before being taken to Muthaiga Police Station.
The union described Dr Obwaka as a respected medical practitioner who has served patients for decades, particularly in maternal healthcare.
“The arrest has caused great shock, concern and disbelief among doctors across the country, members of the Kenya Hospital Association, staff of The Nairobi Hospital, and the wider medical fraternity,” the union said.
KMPDU further argued that the doctor may not have been directly responsible for the alleged irregularities, claiming that management of membership records falls under the Office of the Company Secretary.
The union also expressed concern that authorities reportedly declined to grant Dr Obwaka cash bail despite the alleged offences being bailable under Kenyan law.
Officials from KMPDU, LSK, human rights activists, and family members later visited Muthaiga Police Station seeking answers regarding the detention of the officials.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo Kanjama said the doctor was arrested by plain-clothed officers and questioned why the officials were being held without clear charges.
Dr Obwaka’s son also revealed that the doctor has a heart condition that requires medical care, adding that he is not a flight risk and should be released.
Both KMPDU and LSK warned that they may consider mass action if the detained officials are not released, accusing authorities of violating court orders, including anticipatory bail.
The arrests are reportedly linked to an ongoing dispute over the management of The Nairobi Hospital.
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