Dr. Job Obwaka, 80, Chair of the Nairobi Hospital Board, was forced to seek emergency treatment in an ambulance after falling ill while awaiting arraignment at Milimani Law Courts on Monday March 16, 2026.
Obwaka and other Nairobi Hospital officials had been detained in DCI vehicles since morning.
According to preliminary information, the doctor developed health complications before he could be formally presented before a magistrate.
Medical attention was sought promptly after his condition worsened. Authorities have not yet provided detailed information regarding the nature of his illness or whether the court proceedings will be postponed.
Meanwhile, four doctors who were arrested on Sunday with Dr. Obwaka have complained to the court about their continued detention, arguing that their constitutional rights are being infringed.
Through their lawyers Danstan Omari ,Nelson Havi, and Charles Kanjama, the doctors told the court that despite being within the court premises, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had not yet processed their charge sheet.
“Bring them to court, the doctors are within the court premises,” Lawyer Danstan Omari said
They argued that the delay had created confusion, noting that the prosecution was still registering the charge sheet even though the doctors had been brought to court earlier in the morning.
He argued that two of the doctors are elderly and should be treated with dignity, adding that continued custody while they are already within the court’s jurisdiction amounts to a violation of their rights.
“The moment someone is arrested they must be brought before court within 48 hours. Once they are within the court’s jurisdiction, the court has the power to give directions,” the lawyers submitted.
The defence team urged the court to order that the doctors be allowed to remain within the court precincts or be released to go home and return once the prosecution is ready to proceed.
They also warned that failure to issue directions could unfairly place blame on the court for delays that are not of its making, accusing the prosecution of failing to promptly present the matter despite the doctors already being present at the court house.
The lawyers further informed the court that one of the doctors, Dr. Obwaka, requires urgent medical attention and that an ambulance is already on standby to assist him.
Magistrate Teresiah Nyangena directed that the matter be mentioned in an hour’s time.
