The former Cabinet secretary and Party leader of the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP), Justin Muturi, has accused President William Ruto of attempting to secretly take control of The Nairobi Hospital through alleged intimidation, pressure, and political interference.
In a statement dated March 11, 2026, Justin Muturi claimed that over the past year, Ruto, through his Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has pressured the hospital’s board of management.
Justin argued that the board has faced intimidation, blackmail, and threats, either directly or through the hospital chairman, Dr. Barkley Mogere Onyambu, a consultant gynecologist and elder of the SDA Church in Karen.
“Over the past year, President William Ruto has, through his chief of staff and head of public service Felix Koskei, continued to sustain intimidation, blackmail, and threats to the board of management either directly or through the chairman, Dr. Barkley Mogere Onyambu, a consultant gynecologist and elder of the SDA church, Karen,” read part of the statement.
Justin Muturi Accuses Ruto of Secretly Taking Over Nairobi Hospital
According to Justin Muturi, on March 25, 2025, these pressures led to a split in the Nairobi hospital board’s composition, with seven members co-opted and seven removed.
Further government intervention reportedly came through a multi-agency inquiry ordered by Attorney General Dorcus Oduor, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Financial Reporting Centre, Registrar of Companies, and Asset Recovery Agency.
Several directors were summoned to DCI headquarters, and raids were conducted at their residences to pressure them into resigning.
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However, despite these measures, the directors secured anticipatory court orders preventing forced resignations and halting the hospital’s annual general meeting (AGM) pending legal determination.
Elsewhere on March 7, 2026, the hospital chairman received intimidating phone calls from two officials from the Head of Public Service’s office, Dr. Linda Musumba and Collins Kiprono.
Barkley Mogere Onyambu was forced to issue the resignation of up to three directors to make way for new nominees aligned with the state.
- Justice Mohammed Warsame, Judge of Appeal
- Narendra Raval, Devki Steel owner
- Jackson Chebet Kiplimo, a presidential proxy linked to Stabex International Ltd
The directors reportedly resisted the pressure, arguing that the actions were part of a coordinated effort to take over the hospital through political proxies.
DP Accuses Government of Using Pressure to Intimidate Agencies
The party noted that the Asset Recovery Agency wrote to NTSA to restrict the registration of vehicles belonging to directors and managers, even when they are legally owned or on loan.
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DP highlighted that the board intends to protect the hospital’s founding principles and will not succumb to coordinated political pressure.
Justin Muturi called on the government to respect the rule of law and warned that attempts to undermine private institutions could have serious consequences.
“No one is safe if the government is intent on illegally taking over private institutions. The level of greed and abuse of power by this regime is unprecedented. Power should be used for the greater good, not to suppress minorities,” said Justin Muturi.
