Ruto Responds After Links to Nairobi Hospital Disputes

President William Ruto has responded to increasing speculations linking him directly to the current governance and operational difficulties at Nairobi Hospital.

He has categorically denied any involvement in the alleged mismanagement and has urged stakeholders to find solutions to the problems through legal and transparent reforms.

In a detailed press statement issued by the Office of the State House Spokesperson, the Presidency outlined the sequence of appeals and representations received from various factions within the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), including doctors, association members, and patients, who have raised alarms over governance lapses, financial uncertainties, and leadership wrangles at one of Kenya’s premier health institutions.

“President Ruto has received written memoranda and representations, seeking support in addressing governance, financial and operational challenges affecting the hospital,” the press release stated, noting that concerns were centred on disputed KHA membership, board elections, allegations of conflicts of interest, and ineffective dispute resolution mechanisms.

The state house highlighted that these issues, if unresolved, risk undermining patient care, clinical oversight, and the hospital’s operational stability, elements critical to safeguarding a facility that serves over 290,000 patients annually and supports more than 700 specialist doctors.

“These concerns paint a troubling picture for a hospital that has long been regarded as one of the premier healthcare institutions in Kenya and the region,” the statement read.

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Institutional Engagements and Reform Agenda

The president has stated that discussions regarding the dispute began over a year ago, and that the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has facilitated 14 meetings between those who have grievances about the association (KHA) .

In addition, the meetings have led to the board of management being reconstituted and a five-point reform agenda being adopted in an attempt to reinstate good governance within the KHA.

Some reforms outlined in the agenda include; cleaning the KHA’s membership registry, stopping ongoing proxy litigation against the KHA, strengthening the government’s governing products, hiring a forensic audit for the KHA’s financial issues, and holding a valid AGM in December 2025.

After receiving repeated calls to investigate the KHA, the attorney-general has appointed an inspector per Section 800 of the Companies Act.

The inspector’s team has submitted their findings on 6 March 2026 , and the government is now implementing other directives based upon the findings.

President Ruto has also met with senior doctors and long-term patients to hear about the confusion surrounding the delivery of services.

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Presidential Directives and National Interest

In his response, President Ruto reaffirmed his position as Patron of the Kenya Hospital Association, a role he accepted in 2023, and emphasised that ongoing reform processes must be concluded swiftly to protect the interests of patients, medical professionals, staff and the institution at large.

“The President noted the ongoing processes being undertaken by the Attorney General and directed the timely conclusion and implementation of the pending report,” the release stated, “to safeguard the interests of patients, staff, medical professionals and employees and the long‑term future of the hospital.”

Nairobi Hospital, established in the 1950s and recognised regionally for medical excellence, remains a key pillar of Kenya’s healthcare system.

The government pledged continued support for lawful and sustainable steps to strengthen governance, restore stability, and ensure uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Kenyans and patients across the region.

The State House concluded that resolving the current governance, financial, and operational challenges, “is in the national interest,” calling on all parties to engage constructively within the boundaries of the law.

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Veteran Doctor Dr.Job Obwaka an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Nairobi Hospital
PHOTO/File