Grief, claims of State House intimidation takes centre as Nairobi Hospital Chair Dr Obwaka laid to rest

Emotional scenes marked the burial of Nairobi Hospital Board Chairperson Dr Job Obwaka at his rural home in Shatsala village, Mumias West Constituency, as his family alleged that he faced intimidation and pressure from powerful individuals over the management of the premier health facility.

During the funeral service attended by political leaders, medical professionals and residents, Dr Obwaka’s widow, Everose Chemutai, tearfully claimed that her husband had repeatedly expressed fears for his safety before his death.

Chemutai alleged that senior individuals linked to State House pressured the late doctor to withdraw a court case he had filed on behalf of doctors at Nairobi Hospital.

“There was this mysterious man called Ronoh. I do not know whether he was a lawyer or who he was at State House, but he used to call my husband even at night, ordering him to withdraw the case he had taken to court and those calls were disturbing,” she said.

According to Chemutai, the late medic had on several occasions confided in her that he feared for his life because of the matter he was pursuing in court.

“One time he told me, ‘I think my life is now in danger because of this case.’ Other doctors who worked with him had advised him to take the matter to court because he was always ahead and ready to fight for what was right,” she said.

Overcome with emotion, Chemutai described her husband as a principled leader who resisted attempts to compromise his integrity while spearheading reforms at the hospital.

“When he was appointed to bring reforms at the hospital, that is when his woes started. Obwaka was not a man you would order around to do what is wrong. He stood for truth and justice. He refused to be part of bad people who were mismanaging and stealing from the hospital,” she said.

She further alleged that those opposed to the reforms had teamed up with individuals in government to frustrate him.

“Those who were against his firm stand to bring reforms were united with some people from the government and at times he would be summoned to State House and other meetings over the running of the hospital and the case,” she added.

Chemutai also questioned the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death and claimed that police attempted to withhold some documents that were in his possession at the time.

“Police tried to hide some of the documents that were in my husband’s briefcase, and we asked them why they were excluding them from the rest of the exhibits,” she alleged.

She dismissed claims circulated online regarding the late doctor, insisting that sponsored bloggers had tarnished his image unfairly.

“What was said about him by sponsored bloggers and even the state was a total lie. My husband was totally opposite of what was alleged,” she said.

Recalling the moments she received news of her husband’s condition, Chemutai broke down as she narrated her final moments with him.

“The moment I heard that my husband was in casualty, I panicked. I started screaming, saying, ‘Keep me warm, I’m finished,’” she recalled.

She said that upon arriving at the hospital, she refused to be taken to an office before seeing her husband.

“I told Dr Onyeki, ‘Why are you calling me to the office when my husband is very ill? Just take me to where he is.’ I touched his face, hoping it was still warm. I kept talking to him, asking him to say something to me,” she said.

Leaders who attended the burial eulogised Dr Obwaka as a reformist and defender of justice.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa described him as a dedicated servant who championed reforms in the health sector.

“We will remember Dr Obwaka as a democrat, a defender of human rights and a reformist who brought changes at Nairobi Hospital. His legacy of service will live on,” said Barasa.

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula called for reforms at Nairobi Hospital to enhance service delivery and accountability.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya criticised President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of interfering in private institutions and intimidating individuals who oppose the government.

“Dr Obwaka stood for what was right. I want to tell President Ruto to stop meddling with the affairs of counties and the private sector. He has failed to streamline and fix the Social Health Authority and now wants to purport to be solving issues at Nairobi Hospital,” said Salasya.

Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah also accused the government of intimidation and linked the late doctor’s struggles to pressure from powerful state operatives.

Dr Obwaka, a renowned medic and respected administrator, died at the age of 80.