Four more Nairobi Hospital directors undergo 6-hour grilling by DCI

The hospital's management, led by the embattled board members, later held an emergency meeting to deliberate on the stand-off between the hospital's patron, William Ruto and the Board of Management, that has so far seen four senior officials charged with alleged misconduct.

A day after President William Ruto publicly revealed that he issued instructions for the arrest and prosecution of three active and one former director of the Nairobi Hospital Board of Management, four other directors were grilled at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

"They had summoned the directors here in the morning, and we complied. The exercise involved writing statements and taking of finger prints. Our clients have so far complied with all requirements," Duncan Okubasu, one of the lawyers representing the four directors, stated. 

The four senior officials at the Nairobi Hospital who were subjected to six hours of interrogation included board chairman Barcley Onyambu, the company secretary, and two other directors.

"They had also sought documents related to tax returns," added advocate Victor Omwebu.

The lawyers representing the four directors of the management board stated that they presented to the authorities an anticipatory bail order restraining their clients from being arrested.

"We have categorically placed an anticipatory bail, and if we are needed to appear in court, then we will. I hope they will respect that," Omwebu noted. 

The summons at the DCI headquarters came 48 hours after director Job Obwaka, vice chairman Samson Kinyanjui, board member Valarie Akinyi Gaya and former director Chris Bichange pleaded not guilty to charges relating to alleged conflict of interest, unlawful receipt of benefits and failure to comply with financial reporting requirements.

"They have no wrongdoing and will cooperate with investigative agencies,"  Okubasu stated.