By Jeff Kizzilah/Digital Editor
The Chairman of Nairobi Hospital, Dr. Backley Onyambu and Dr. Felix Osano/photo
The Chairman of Nairobi Hospital, Dr. Backley Onyambu, has forcefully dismissed allegations of a crisis at the facility, describing reports of drug shortages and supplier withdrawal as “false, misleading, and designed to cause public panic.”
Speaking during a press conference addressing mounting concerns over the hospital’s management, Dr. Onyambu maintained that the institution remains stable, fully operational, and under sound leadership.
“Nairobi Hospital is in the right hands. Those claiming that suppliers have pulled out and that there is no medicine are lying and confusing the public,” he stated.
The remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny and claims of mismanagement, alongside speculation of a possible takeover linked to President William Ruto. Dr. Onyambu firmly rejected these assertions, reiterating that the hospital’s governance structures remain intact and transparent.
Supporting the chairman’s position, Dr. Felix Osano dismissed claims of mismanagement, emphasizing that operations remain efficient and patient care is uncompromised.
“We do not have any mismanagement. The hospital is doing well, and the public should not be misled,” said Dr. Osano.
Consultants and Governance Structure
Addressing claims that doctors have raised alarm over the hospital’s state, Dr. Onyambu clarified that the institution has a well-established and structured clinical governance system.
He noted that the hospital works with over 730 credentialed consultants, who are granted privileges through a rigorous vetting process. These consultants are represented through an elected leadership framework led by the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), whose chairperson is directly elected by the doctors.
The MAC leadership, including its Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, sits on the Board of Management, ensuring that clinical governance, dispute resolution, and professional standards are upheld.
“Not Representative” – Board Hits Back at Dissenting Doctors
Dr. Onyambu took direct aim at a group of five doctors alleged to have escalated concerns to external stakeholders, including the government.
“The five doctors who took advantage of their access to the Patron are not representatives of the established structures. Their views are biased and not reflective of the hospital’s reality,” he stated.
He further alleged that some of the individuals are conflicted and actively compete with the hospital’s business interests, accusing them of advancing “self-serving pursuits” aimed at destabilizing governance and creating uncertainty.
According to the Board, these individuals have been pushing selective narratives publicly while simultaneously engaging in legal actions to block internal processes.
Litigation and Operational Disruptions
The Chairman also revealed that the hospital has faced significant operational disruptions due to repeated court cases challenging Board decisions.
He cited instances where governance processes, including Annual General Meetings, were halted through last-minute litigation. In one case, the hospital was reportedly blocked from undertaking critical capital expenditure, including borrowing funds to replace essential medical equipment.
“These restrictions were only lifted after the courts determined that the matters raised were repetitive and an abuse of the judicial process,” Dr. Onyambu stated.
Open to Scrutiny
Despite the challenges, the hospital leadership reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, welcoming any investigations into its operations.
“We are ready for any investigation. We are open to everything,” Dr. Onyambu affirmed.
He acknowledged that internal governance challenges have existed over time but stressed that they are not new, noting the hospital’s long-standing history of over 72 years.
The Board urged the public to disregard what it termed as “sensational and unverified claims,” maintaining that the hospital continues to uphold high standards of care and remains focused on delivering quality healthcare services.
