Fresh claims have emerged over an alleged plan to influence the leadership of one of Kenya’s most well-known private hospitals, after Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi accused senior government officials of using state power and intimidation to take control of The Nairobi Hospital.
Muturi alleged that powerful offices within government have been putting sustained pressure on the hospital’s leadership in an effort to restructure its board and remove directors who oppose the plan.
According to him, the actions amount to a coordinated campaign to influence the management of the medical facility.
The hospital, which has served patients for about seven decades, is owned by the Kenya Hospital Association and operates as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act.
It has long been considered one of the country’s most respected private healthcare institutions.
Muturi claimed the alleged attempt to influence the hospital’s leadership has been unfolding gradually over the past year. He said the pressure has involved government officials and investigative agencies targeting the institution’s leadership and operations.
In his accusations, Muturi mentioned Felix Koskei, claiming the senior official has exerted continued pressure on the hospital’s management in a move aimed at reshaping its governance and influencing its strategic direction.
He also pointed to developments in March 2025 when the hospital’s board went through a controversial restructuring.
According to the claims, seven new members joined the board while seven others exited. Muturi believes the changes followed sustained pressure from state actors.
Muturi further alleged that investigations into the hospital were initiated under the direction of Dorcas Oduor. He said the directive led to a wide investigation into the hospital’s financial and operational activities.
The probe reportedly involved several agencies including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Revenue Authority, Financial Reporting Centre, Office of the Registrar of Companies and the Asset Recovery Agency.
According to Muturi, several directors of the hospital were summoned to the headquarters of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for questioning, while others reportedly experienced raids at their homes.
He claimed the actions were meant to pressure some directors to resign from the board.
Some of the directors, however, moved to court and secured anticipatory bail orders that remain active. The orders protect them from arrest as investigations continue.
At the same time, an Annual General Meeting of the Kenya Hospital Association was halted after a court issued an order stopping the meeting while a legal dispute over the hospital’s governance is being addressed.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, the hospital’s board reportedly attempted to fill leadership gaps by co-opting individuals to serve temporarily.
Those cited include Moses Ondaba, Sylvester Kasuku, Philip Kisia, Chris Obanda and Lekek Chebii.
Muturi claimed the situation escalated further on March 7, 2026 when the hospital’s board chairman, Barkley Mogere Onyambu, allegedly received a call from officials in the Office of the Head of Public Service.
Muturi identified them as Linda Musumba and Collins Kiprono.He alleged the officials asked the chairman to facilitate the resignation of three board members in order to create space for other individuals who had reportedly been proposed for the positions.
Those allegedly suggested for the board roles include Mohammed Warsame, Narendra Raval and Jackson Chebet Kiplimo.
Muturi further claimed the chairman was later summoned to Harambee House and warned that failure to create the vacancies could lead to arrests of some hospital directors.
He alleged the officials threatened to pursue money laundering charges if the requests were not followed.
He also alleged that the Asset Recovery Agency had written to the National Transport and Safety Authority seeking restrictions on vehicles owned by certain hospital directors and managers.
Muturi criticized the move and questioned its legal basis, arguing that owning vehicles, including those acquired through bank loans, should not automatically raise suspicion of criminal activity.
The Democratic Party leader said the hospital’s directors remain determined to defend the institution and protect the legacy of its founders.
He warned that the situation could set a worrying precedent if the government interferes with private institutions using state machinery.
“No one is safe if the government is now keen on taking over private institutions illegally and unprocedurally,” Muturi said.
At the time the allegations became public, government officials had not issued an immediate response.
The controversy has now drawn attention to the governance of the hospital and raised wider questions about the independence of private institutions in Kenya.
