Top State House official 'pushed' Dr Obwaka to his death, says widow

The family of the late Dr Job Obwaka, a former director at the Nairobi Hospital, has put the blame on a senior State House official for his tribulations.

His wife, Everrose Chemutai, has revealed that the doctor confided in her several times because his life was in danger over the Nairobi Hospital control saga.

In an emotional tribute, Chemutai said even efforts by the family to have him released from police cells pending his court appearance were futile, stating that police were acting under strict instructions from State House.

Chemutai said even pleas by his doctor to put the 79-year-old obstetrician-gynaecologist in favourable condition in the cells at the Pangani Police Station owing to his health conditions were dismissed by senior police officers who claimed that “their hands were tied”.

“I presented a letter from his doctor stating that he has had an open heart surgery and he could not sleep in the cold, but police said their hands were tied and that they were getting instructions,” the widow narrated during Obwaka’s memorial service at CITAM church, Valley Road.

“We knew there was nothing we could do when the police refused to release him on bond. We requested them to give him a mattress but they refused.”  

She explained that the police made calls explaining about Obwaka’s health condition and seek permission to release him, but were instead instructed to make sure Obwaka was particularly detained.

“Death can be natural but, what happened to him accelerate his death,” Chemutai added.

Obwaka was arrested on Friday, March 14, at his clinic parking lot and held in police custody for a weekend without immediate access to medication.

He was arrested alongside other Nairobi Hospital board officials following a contentious, high-stakes dispute regarding the management of the hospital.

The arrests and subsequent court charges were based on allegations of falsifying membership records of the then Kenya Hospital Association, conflict of interest, and loss of Sh. 8 million at the hospital.

President William Ruto would later come out to announce that he had instructed the officials to be arrested and arraigned over what he termed as mismanagement of the hospital.

On May 1, 2026, six weeks after the dramatic arrest, Obwaka was rushed to the Nairobi Hospital unconscious and announced dead on arrival.

“They bundled him into a Subaru car while parking his car. 12 pregnant women were waiting for him at the hospital,” she added.

Chemutai revealed that the tribulations that befell her husband started shortly after his appointment as a member of board of directors at Nairobi Hospital.

Dr Obwaka was appointed alongside six people to serve as the board of directors of Nairobi hospital in 2025 to introduce reforms.

“Things changed along the way, and they called to the office of the president, and he was ordered to withdraw the case from court he had filed in court. He was confused because that was one of the things they did to bring reforms in the hospital,” said the widow.

According to her, what the said State House official was particularly irked by his refusal and resistance to withdraw a case filed seeking to stop the state from interfering with the operation of Nairobi hospital.

“When he refused to withdraw the case, he kept telling me his life was in danger, and that gave us many sleepless nights. There are times he would come home and tell me if you don’t hear from me for four hours please call. It was that bad and he was so worried,” she said.

“That became a pain point for someone up there who felt like they have been disrespected by Obwaka by failing to withdraw the case,” Chemutai added.

His younger brother Dr William Obwaka sad the family is waiting for answers on the exact cause of his death, stating that they are treating  the postmortem results with a pinch of salt’.

“A lot has been said about the cause of his death but as a family, we have decided to take it in stride. We agree with what the doctor has said with a preliminary report because what can be by the eyes, there was nothing of consequence apart from his previous heart surgery,” said the brother.

According to the autopsy conducted last week at Lee Funeral Home, the renowned Gynaecologist died of cardiac arrest linked to a heart condition but the toxicological test results are yet to be released.

 “My brother had an autopsy done at Lee Funeral Home but the number of people who are not doctors or relatives were more than the doctors and the relatives combined. We are confused and we don’t what is really happening,” he added.

The brother also clarified that the court case where Wangari is linked to the death of Obwaka was not filed by the family.

“The family has not taken anybody to court. We just know that our brother passed on. If there is any suing, it is not through us. God will avenge whoever it is,” he stated.  

The family is now urging the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Criminal and Investigation to terminate the case against Obwaka and to release all the belongings in the custody of the state before burial scheduled for Friday.

 “Now that you have released the body to us, why are you still holding his belongings? Release them to the family and I hope they will be released before midnight tonight,” the brother appealed to the state.

Among the belongings held are his car, mobile phones, eye glasses, among other personal items.

 “Even the glasses he is wearing now are old,” said Obwaka’s wife.  

Dr Frank Mwongela, who spoke on behalf of doctors, called for immediate termination of the case filed against Dr Obwaka.

“He did not die a quiet death. He died wounded, not by disease, but by betrayal. He was hunted, harassed, and humiliated. He was arrested on charges no honest tribunal would entertain. He spent two nights in a police cell, “said Mwongela.

“He was paraded before a criminal court for offenses he never committed. We, as doctors, call upon the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Criminal Investigation to drop this case with immediate effect. You cannot prosecute a dead man,” he added. 

The late Obwaka was mourned as a mentor, a dedicated medic, a generous man, and the pillar of the larger Obwaka family.

Obwaka will be buried on Friday at Musanda Village in Mumias West, Kakamega county.

Chemutai warned political leaders to keep out of politics during the burial.

“My husband was not a politician, and I want him to rest with dignity,” she said.