Nairobi Hospital doctors decry frustration as DPP yet to press charges

Nairobi Hospital doctors call for Dr Job Obwaka’s exoneration amid board misconduct probe

By Bruno Aero Family Media Staff Writer 16th March 2026 7Hrs

Four doctors from the Nairobi Hospital who were arrested yesterday have complained to the court about their continued detention, arguing that their constitutional rights are being infringed.

Dr. John Obwaka, the Director at the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), Nairobi Hospital Board vice-chairman Samson Kinyanjui, directors Valery Gaya and former director Chris Bichage were arrested over the weekend. 

Through their lawyers, Danstan Omari, Nelson Havi, and Charles Kanjama, the doctors told the court that, despite being within the court premises, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had not yet processed their charge sheet

Bring them to court, they doctors are within the court premises," Lawyer Danstan Omari said. 

Lawyers told the court that the delay had created confusion, noting that the prosecution was still registering the charge sheet even though the doctors had been brought to court earlier in the morning.

He argued that two of the doctors are elderly and should be treated with dignity, adding that continued custody while they are already within the court’s jurisdiction amounts to a violation of their rights

The moment someone is arrested, they must be brought before a 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 team urged the court to order that the doctors be allowed to remain within the court precincts or be released to go home and return once the prosecution is ready to proceed

An entrance of the Nairobi Hospital.

The lawyers further informed the court that one of the doctors, Dr. Obwaka, requires urgent medical attention and that an ambulance is already on standby to assist him.

They also warned that failure to issue directions could unfairly place blame on the court for delays that are not of its making, accusing the prosecution of failing to promptly present the matter despite the doctors already being present at the courthouse.

Magistrate Teresiah Nyangena directed that the matter be mentioned in an hour.