By Njeri Irungu,
16 February 2026,
Nairobi, Kenya.
A Depening governance crisis has engulfed The Nairobi Hospital, with doctors and members of the hospital’s governing association accusing senior officials of openly defying binding court orders, fueling institutional instability, and presiding over mounting financial distress at one of Kenya’s premier medical facilities.
In a strongly worded press statement issued Monday, the Admitting Staff Association (Doctors) and members of the Kenya Hospital Association said the dispute centers on “obedience to court orders, constitutionalism, fiduciary responsibility, and the integrity of a national medical institution.”
According to the statement, a series of conservatory orders issued by the High Court of Kenya between July and December 2025 restrained certain defendants from convening or continuing board meetings and undertaking specified governance actions. The doctors say those orders remain in force and have never been set aside, yet key officials have allegedly continued to act in disregard of the court’s directives.
At the heart of the standoff is a leadership dispute involving the hospital’s board. The association states that former Board Chair Dr. Barcley Onyambu was removed in June 2025 through what it describes as a properly convened special board meeting, but has refused to vacate office. It further alleges that the Company Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer were lawfully placed on mandatory leave in July 2025, yet have continued to exercise authority despite the decision and the subsisting court orders.
The statement also raises concerns about the co-option of individuals allegedly linked to State House into the hospital’s Board of Management while court restrictions were in place. The doctors claim some of the individuals may have conflicts of interest tied to commercial dealings with the hospital, potentially compromising procurement and financial oversight. They have called for clarity from the Executive and questioned whether officials based at Harambee House are aware of, or endorse, the contested appointments.
Beyond governance disputes, the association paints a troubling financial picture. It alleges the hospital recorded losses exceeding KSh 3 billion in 2024 and owes suppliers more than KSh 4 billion, resulting in reported shortages of medicines and essential supplies. The doctors criticize what they describe as aggressive capital construction projects undertaken amid financial strain, as well as concerns over the pricing of new hospital information management systems and specialized equipment.
The statement further accuses unnamed actors of manipulating judicial processes through irregular case transfers and delays in listing contempt of court proceedings. The association argues that postponements in hearing contempt applications risk undermining the authority of the courts and eroding public confidence in the enforceability of judicial orders.
In their demands, the doctors call on hospital officials to comply immediately with mandatory leave decisions and for all board members to obey existing court orders. They urge the Judiciary to expedite contempt proceedings, ask the Executive to reaffirm its commitment to constitutional governance, and request regulators to investigate alleged conflicts of interest and procurement irregularities.
Describing the hospital as an institution that “belongs to its members, its patients, and the people of Kenya,” the association warns that continued disregard for court authority could further destabilize the facility. It maintains that respect for the rule of law is essential to restoring stability, accountability, and public trust in one of the country’s leading healthcare institutions.
