Nairobi Hospital: Board Reconstitution Confirms Onyambu Chairmanship

• The Nairobi Hospital's Board of Management has been reconstituted, with Dr. Barcley Onyambu retaining his chairmanship.
• These changes followed the Kenya Hospital Association's Annual General Meeting on August 25, concluding months of governance disputes.
• The hospital, owned by the KHA as a company limited by guarantee, has faced legal challenges and parliamentary scrutiny over its leadership.
• A significant increase in KHA membership in 2024 drew attention due to its critical role in determining board elections.
• The protracted leadership battle has raised concerns about its potential impact on the hospital's operations and service delivery.

This recent board reconstitution unfolds against the backdrop of a protracted leadership battle that has plagued one of Kenya’s largest private hospitals.

The Nairobi Hospital, a prominent healthcare institution owned and overseen by the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), has announced the reconstitution of its Board of Management. This development, detailed in a notice issued by the hospital on Friday, August 28, confirms Dr. Barcley Onyambu's retention of the chairmanship. His re-election occurred during the KHA Annual General Meeting held on August 25, providing a measure of stability after a period marked by intense governance disputes and conflicting claims over the hospital's leadership.

The newly formed 11-member Board of Management includes Dr. Onyambu, alongside Samson Mbuthia Kinyanjui, Dr. Agnes Gachoki, Dr. Edwin Rono, Dr. Magdalene Muthoka, Prof. John Mwero, Akinyi Gaya Valerie, Anne Njuguna, Moses Ondaba, Wycliff Wanzala, and Lekek Chebii. Kinyanjui maintains his role as vice chairman, a position he secured on December 4, 2024. Dr. Gachoki continues as chairperson of the Medical Advisory Committee, having been elected on August 25, 2025, with Dr. Rono serving as its vice chairman following his election on March 16, 2026. Dr. Muthoka, Prof. Mwero, and Gaya Valerie joined the board in December 2024, while Njuguna, Ondaba, Wanzala, and Chebii were elected during the recent August 25 AGM. The board emphasized that its composition adheres strictly to Articles 38(a), (b), (e), 40, 42, 43, 46, 47, and 51 of the KHA Articles of Association, which govern the constitution and composition of the management board.

This recent board reconstitution unfolds against the backdrop of a protracted leadership battle that has plagued one of Kenya’s largest private hospitals. The dispute has previously seen competing factions, notably those led by Dr. Onyambu and Prof. Herman Manyora, issue conflicting statements regarding the legitimate occupancy of the KHA Board chairmanship. In July 2025, a faction aligned with Prof. Manyora asserted that Dr. Onyambu had been removed from his chairman role via a board resolution; however, the hospital promptly refuted this claim, maintaining Dr. Onyambu as the duly elected chairman.

The governance dispute subsequently escalated into the judicial system, with the Court of Appeal addressing an application in October 2025 stemming from a High Court case involving the KHA, its Board of Management, Dr. Onyambu, and other senior association officials. Beyond the courts, the governance questions also captured the attention of the legislative branch. In March 2026, the Senate initiated an investigation into concerns surrounding the hospital's governance, regulation, and service delivery. Senators highlighted issues such as disputes over board elections, the legitimacy of office holders, the extent of trustee powers, and significant financial decisions, including proposed borrowing and capital expenditure.

A key factor contributing to the ongoing controversy is The Nairobi Hospital's distinctive ownership structure. Unlike many conventional private hospitals, it is owned by the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), which operates as a membership-based organization registered as a company limited by guarantee. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale clarified in March that the institution is member-owned and lacks traditional shareholders, a characteristic that significantly elevates the importance of KHA membership in determining the hospital's leadership.

The governance framework of a company limited by guarantee in Kenya means that the KHA membership register plays a critical role in who participates in the election and oversight of the board. This structure has made board elections particularly consequential, as various groups vie for influence over an institution that manages one of the nation's largest private healthcare facilities. Scrutiny intensified in March when it was revealed that KHA's membership had surged by 696 individuals in 2024, reaching a total of 3,211 members, up from 2,515 the previous year. This sharp increase attracted considerable attention due to its direct bearing on the composition and electoral dynamics of the governing body.

The persistent leadership disputes have not only drawn legal and parliamentary attention but have also raised significant concerns regarding their potential impact on the hospital's day-to-day operations and overall service delivery. The internal conflicts within the Nairobi Hospital governance structure underscore the challenges inherent in managing a large, member-owned institution during periods of intense internal disagreement. In March, a group of senior consultants reportedly sought intervention from President William Ruto, indicating the gravity of the situation and the perceived need for higher-level resolution. The resolution of these governance issues is crucial for ensuring the continued stability and effective functioning of a vital healthcare provider in Kenya.

Lawyers advising non-profit organizations or companies limited by guarantee in Kenya should review their clients' Articles of Association and governance frameworks to prevent protracted leadership disputes, as seen with Nairobi Hospital. This case highlights the critical importance of clear internal regulations for board elections and succession to avoid legal challenges, parliamentary scrutiny, and operational disruptions.

Source: Original reporting via Kenyan news outlets