Summary
- Doctors threaten a nationwide strike if detained Nairobi Hospital officials are not released.
- Dr Job Obwaka, an 83-year-old board member, was arrested and detained at Muthaiga Police Station.
- Opposition leaders claim the arrests are linked to a power struggle over control of Nairobi Hospital.
NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened a nationwide doctors’ strike over what it describes as the unfair and mysterious arrest of officials linked to The Nairobi Hospital.
Union Secretary-General Davji Atellah said doctors will down their tools on Monday if the detained officials are not released.
The warning came after KMPDU officials visited the detained leaders at Muthaiga Police Station.
Arrest of 83-Year-Old Doctor Sparks Outrage
The union is protesting the arrest of Job Obwaka, an 83-year-old obstetrician and gynaecologist who also serves as a board member at the hospital.
According to KMPDU, Obwaka was arrested on Saturday morning under unclear circumstances at his parking bay at the NSSF Building, where his clinic is located.
He was later taken to Muthaiga Police Station and spent the night in custody.
“Whoever arrested Dr Obwaka has to make him be released before midnight, otherwise we are going to ask every doctor that you are not safe at your place of work and we must stand against injustice,” Atellah said.
Union officials, lawyers and family members visited the doctor on Sunday, but he remained in detention.
Other Directors Also Detained
KMPDU said two other officials connected to the hospital are also being held by police.
Former board chairman Chris Bichage and director Valery Gaya are reportedly being detained at Pangani Police Station.
According to the Law Society of Kenya, the arrest of Obwaka is linked to a registration issue connected to the hospital’s 2024 Annual General Meeting.
KMPDU said authorities had indicated the doctor was being accused of falsifying the hospital’s membership register.
However, the union insists the responsibility for maintaining such records lies with the office of the company secretary.
“It is important to note that Dr Obwaka was not present at the time when the alleged irregularities in these records are said to have occurred,” KMPDU said in an earlier statement.
Political Row Over Hospital Control
The arrests have also drawn sharp political reactions, with opposition leaders alleging the move is part of a power struggle over control of Nairobi Hospital.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi previously accused the government of attempting to forcefully take control of the facility.
Meanwhile, Kalonzo Musyoka claimed the arrests were carried out on direct orders from William Ruto.
“The arrest of Board Chairman Dr Job Obwaka and former Chairman Dr Chris Bichage, under direct orders from President Ruto, is absolutely unacceptable and entirely criminal,” Kalonzo said.
The government has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
