Nairobi Hospital Dismisses Ruto ‘Rescue’ Claims

Nairobi Hospital leadership has rejected assertions that it formally sought President William Ruto’s intervention to address alleged internal problems, characterising the matter as a governance dispute rather than a crisis requiring external rescue.

The clarification comes after remarks by President Ruto suggesting senior hospital staff had petitioned him to “save” the institution.

President Ruto, who is also patron of the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), said he was approached by a group of senior doctors and professionals from the hospital urging him to act. He portrayed the appeal as an effort to protect the facility from unscrupulous actors he described as threats to its future.

“As president of the Republic of Kenya and as patron of Nairobi Hospital, senior doctors and professionals from Nairobi Hospital approached me to save Nairobi Hospital from conmen, fraudsters and charlatans who wanted to expropriate Nairobi Hospital.” He said.

He added that following the appeal, he gave clear instructions for anyone involved in misconduct to be removed and face legal consequences.

“That is why I have instructed with clarity that all those who are involved in fraudulent activities in Nairobi Hospital will be removed; they will be taken to court and they will be charged.” He said.

Hospital Leadership Responds

Addressing the media, KHA board chair Barcley Onyambu maintained that Nairobi Hospital is stable and fully operational and urged Kenyans not to equate governance issues with institutional collapse.

“Contrary to what has been presented in the public domain, the hospital is stable and fully operational. What is being portrayed as an institutional collapse is, in fact, a governance matter.” Onyambu said.

Onyambu also criticised the arrest and detention of some hospital directors by state agencies, calling the action “unprecedented” and a violation of their rights.

Institution Maintains Services Amid Dispute

Hospital management has distanced itself from the group of doctors who met President Ruto, saying they acted in an individual capacity and not as official representatives.

Leaders continue to stress that the facility remains open and delivering services while internal governance issues are addressed.

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The Nairobi Hospital Board Chairman Dr. Barcley Onyambu and Vice Chairman Samson Mbuthia Kinyanjui address the media during a press conference on March 19, 2026, to clarify the hospital’s governance and financial status. PHOTO/ Courtsey