Nairobi Hospital Governance Crisis Deepens: Court Orders Flouted, Leadership in government chaos

By Bruno Aero Family Media Staff Correspondance Nairobi,

 Kenya - A deepening governance crisis at Nairobi Hospital has sparked widespread concern, with the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) accusing top officials of defying binding court orders and plunging the institution into chaos.

Dr. Job Obwaka, a Board Member of KHA, revealed that interim conservatory orders were issued by the High Court on July 3, 2025, restraining certain defendants from convening or continuing Board meetings and retreats. However, these orders have been allegedly ignored, with the Company Secretary, Mr. Gilbert Nyamweya, continuing to act in contravention of the court's directives.

The crisis has been further exacerbated by a leadership dispute, with Dr. Berkeley Onyambu claiming to be the rightful Board Chair, despite being lawfully removed from the position on June 30, 2025. The KHA has called for immediate compliance with the court orders, removal of the Company Secretary and CEO from office, and an investigation into the hospital's financial dealings.

The hospital's financial woes are dire, with a loss of over Kes 3 billion in 2024 and suppliers owed in excess of Kes 4 billion. The KHA has warned that the institution is on the brink of collapse if urgent corrective action is not taken.

Governance Crisis Deepens at Nairobi Hospital as Board Accuses Officials of Defying Court Orders.

February Monday 16, 2026

The Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) has raised alarm over what it describes as a deepening governance crisis at Nairobi Hospital, citing persistent disobedience of binding court orders, institutional instability, and alleged conflicts of interest within the Board of Management

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Addressing the press, Dr. Job Obwaka, a Board Member of the Kenya Hospital Association, said the once premier medical institution now faces “an imminent risk of collapse” if urgent corrective action is not taken.

Dr. Obwaka, accompanied by fellow Board Member FCPA Guru Ashira, stated that the press briefing was convened to clarify the hospital’s governance position and outline what they termed as serious legal and constitutional breaches.

Disregard of High Court Orders

At the heart of the dispute, the Board says, is the alleged continued defiance of binding orders issued by the High Court of Kenya.

According to the statement, interim conservatory orders were first issued on July 3, 2025, restraining certain defendants from convening or continuing Board meetings and retreats. The Board maintains that these orders have never been set aside.

Further conservatory orders were issued on November 5, 2025, barring the convening of meetings of the Board of Management, its committees, and subcommittees, as well as the undertaking of specified governance actions.

On November 20, 2025, the Court extended the interim orders pending its ruling on both an application and a preliminary objection. The Board asserts that the legal effect was clear — the restraining orders remained binding and operational.

Subsequently, on December 16, 2025, the Court stayed all resolutions and decisions arising from Board meetings held on September 19 and October 23, 2025, and expressly reminded parties that earlier interim orders remained in full force.

Despite this judicial record, the Board alleges that the Company Secretary, Mr. Gilbert Nyamwea — a named defendant in the proceedings — continues to act in contravention of the court’s directives.

Dispute Over Board Leadership and Mandatory Leave

The governance standoff also includes leadership disputes within the institution.

According to the Board, Dr. Berkeley Onyambu was lawfully removed as Board Chair on June 30, 2025, through a properly convened special meeting conducted in accordance with the hospital’s governing instruments. However, he has allegedly refused to vacate office.

In addition, during a special Board meeting held on July 14, 2025, both the Company Secretary, Mr. Gilbert Nyamwea, and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Felix Osano, were placed on mandatory leave.

The Board contends that both officers have declined to comply with this decision and continue to exercise authority, raising what it termed “serious and unavoidable questions” about compliance with internal governance instruments and binding court orders.

Alleged Irregular Co-option and Conflict of Interest Concerns

The statement further raises concerns about the alleged co-option of individuals said to be associated with State House into the Board of Management while court orders restraining governance changes were still in force.

The Board claims that some of the individuals co-opted may have direct or indirect commercial interests in the hospital through proxy arrangements and affiliated entities.

Such circumstances, the Board argues, create potential conflicts of interest that could compromise procurement processes, insurance relationships, and overall financial management.

The public, the Board said, is entitled to clarity regarding the authority under which such co-options were undertaken and whether any external influence was involved.

Call for Compliance and Institutional Integrity

Framing the matter as one of constitutionalism and fiduciary responsibility, the Board emphasized that the crisis extends beyond an internal administrative dispute.

“It is about respect for the rule of law, obedience to court orders, institutional integrity, and the protection of a national healthcare asset, 

The Kenya Hospital Association has called on all parties to comply fully with binding court orders and urged relevant authorities to uphold constitutional governance to safeguard the future of Nairobi Hospital.

The unfolding dispute now places one of Kenya’s most prominent private medical institutions at the center of a high-stakes governance and legal battle whose outcome may significantly impact public confidence in its operations.