The leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Martha Karua, has publicly criticized President William Ruto for his handling of the controversy surrounding The Nairobi Hospital, questioning why the Head of State has resorted to personal attacks instead of offering reasoned leadership.
During a public address to residents in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County, on Tuesday, President Ruto vowed to protect The Nairobi Hospital from what he described as “conmen” allegedly involved in corruption. Since 2023, President Ruto has served as the patron of the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), the body that oversees The Nairobi Hospital.
In response, Karua took to X to challenge the President’s intervention.
“Pray which of our laws gives you power to interfere with the running of a private institution? Why don’t you first address the serious governance challenges in your government, namely, corruption, theft of public funds such as the withdrawal of Ksh.1.3 trillion from eCitizen, land grabbing, to name but a few?” she posted.
She added,
“A leader who resorts to insults instead of reasoning demeans the office they hold. Do let your PhD reflect in your actions and utterances.”
The comments come amid heightened public scrutiny following President Ruto’s statements about the management of Nairobi Hospital.
“Senior doctors, senior professionals from Nairobi Hospitals approached me to save Nairobi Hospital from conmen, fraudsters and charlatans who wanted to expropriate it. Nairobi Hospital is a premier medical institution that serves the region. There is no way I am going to allow Nairobi Hospital to be taken hostage by fraudsters,” Ruto said.
He further indicated that individuals involved in alleged fraudulent activities would face legal consequences.
“I have instructed with clarity that all those who are involved in fraudulent activities in Nairobi Hospital will be removed, taken to court, charged, and Nairobi Hospital is going to serve the people of Kenya.”
The controversy escalated after several doctors linked to the management of Kenya Hospital Association Limited were arrested and presented in court on charges including conflict of interest, unlawful receipt of benefits, and failure to comply with financial reporting requirements, according to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale clarified that the hospital is registered as a company limited by guarantee, meaning it is member-owned and does not have shareholders.
The situation has raised questions about the balance between government oversight and the autonomy of private institutions, as well as the role of political figures in private sector disputes.
