Ruto Defends Involvement in Nairobi Hospital Dispute
Hussein Mohamed has defended President William Ruto’s involvement in the ongoing governance dispute at the Kenya Hospital Association, which owns and manages The Nairobi Hospital.
Speaking on Monday, Mohamed said the President’s intervention is justified both in his role as Head of State and as patron of the association—a position he accepted in 2023 after being nominated by stakeholders.
Why Ruto Stepped In
According to the State House spokesperson, President Ruto’s involvement followed months of appeals from key stakeholders, including:
- Doctors affiliated with Nairobi Hospital
- Members of the Kenya Hospital Association
- Patients currently receiving treatment
These groups raised alarm over governance, financial, and operational challenges affecting the institution.
“These appeals raised serious concerns about the potential impact of longstanding governance and financial challenges on patient care, clinical governance and operational stability,” Mohamed stated.
Deep-Rooted Governance Issues
The dispute at the hospital reportedly revolves around several contentious issues, including:
- Membership disputes within the association
- Board elections and Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
- Allegations of conflicts of interest
- Claims of financial mismanagement
- Leadership wrangles and ongoing litigation
The concerns have raised fears about the hospital’s stability and its ability to deliver quality healthcare services.
Legal Basis for Presidential Role
Mohamed explained that the President’s engagement is grounded in the association’s Articles of Association, which provide for a patron role.
“It is therefore in both his capacity as patron and as President of Kenya that he was briefed and appealed to by concerned stakeholders,” he said.
Multi-Agency Efforts to Resolve Crisis
Efforts to resolve the dispute have involved multiple institutional processes coordinated by senior government officials, including Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service.
Koskei reportedly convened at least 14 consultative meetings over the past year, bringing together board members, doctors, and stakeholders to find a lasting solution.
These engagements resulted in:
- Reconstitution of the hospital’s Board of Management
- Inclusion of representatives from various stakeholder groups
- Agreement on a reform roadmap
Five-Point Reform Agenda
Stakeholders agreed on a five-point reform agenda ahead of the association’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for December 2025.
Key proposals include:
- Verification and clean-up of the membership register
- Withdrawal of ongoing litigation cases
- Review of governance structures
- Appointment of an independent firm for a forensic audit
- Preparation for a credible and transparent AGM
Government Orders Investigation
The Office of the Attorney General invoked Section 800 of the Companies Act 2015 to investigate the affairs of the Kenya Hospital Association.
A multi-agency team was formed, comprising:
- Business Registration Service
- Asset Recovery Agency
- Kenya Revenue Authority
- Directorate of Criminal Investigations
- National Intelligence Service
- Financial Reporting Centre
The team submitted its report to the Attorney General on March 6, 2026.
Ruto Meets Doctors and Patients
President Ruto recently held meetings with senior doctors from Nairobi Hospital and patients receiving long-term care.
During these engagements, stakeholders highlighted the urgent need to restore stability at the institution.
The President subsequently directed the timely conclusion and implementation of the investigation report to safeguard:
- Patient welfare
- Medical professionals
- Hospital staff
A Critical Institution at Stake
Nairobi Hospital remains one of Kenya’s most important healthcare institutions, serving over 290,000 patients annually.
The facility operates six satellite centres and supports more than 700 specialist doctors, making it a critical pillar of the country’s healthcare system.
“The government will continue to support all necessary steps within the law to restore stability and strengthen governance,” Mohamed affirmed.