A quiet power struggle at the heart of one of Kenya’s top private hospitals turned public this week, after Nairobi Hospital firmly rejected claims that renowned political analyst and lecturer Herman Manyora had been appointed as its new board chair.
A letter, which surfaced on Monday, appeared to declare that a board meeting had been held and that University of Nairobi lecturer Professor Manyora had been unanimously elected to replace Dr Barcley Onyambu as Chair of the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) the body that oversees Nairobi Hospital.
The document stated: “Dr Agnes Gachoki proposed Professor Herman Manyora to be elected as Chairman of the Board of Management… Professor Timothy Byakika seconded.” It added that “There being no other proposal, Professor Herman Manyora was elected… unopposed.”
But hours later, hospital management called the letter a fabrication. In a terse rebuttal, Dr Onyambu dismissed the entire claim, saying no such meeting had taken place.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all official communication concerning board matters is solely notified through the office of the Company Secretary and that remains the position,” Onyambu said in a letter seen by reporters.
The disputed appointment has deepened divisions within the Kenya Hospital Association, an influential body that has been rocked by internal squabbles over leadership and governance in recent years.
Under KHA rules, whoever holds the chairmanship also leads Nairobi Hospital’s Board of Management, giving them significant sway over operations at the elite health institution.
A Pattern of Disputes
This is not the first time the hospital has faced a leadership tug-of-war. In late 2024, the Association attempted to oust more than ten directors, citing “loss of confidence.” That boardroom battle culminated in the removal of then-chairman Chris Bichage.
Bichage challenged the move in court, arguing that his ouster was not just irregular but threatened the hospital’s independence. He claimed the action jeopardised the trust of both patients and stakeholders.
He had been elected for a one-year term in 2023, and his mandate was extended by members during the annual general meeting in December 2024. But just three months later, on March 10, 2025, Bichage received a notice that, according to him, led to a meeting where he discovered he had already been replaced.
The ongoing chaos has raised serious concerns about transparency, internal procedures, and whether the institution’s leadership remains focused on its core mission providing top-tier healthcare.
What Next?
It remains unclear who now legally holds the chairmanship of KHA. The alleged meeting minutes are being disputed, and the hospital’s official communication shows no signs of stepping back from its stance.
For patients and hospital staff, the political wrangling adds uncertainty at a time when public trust in Kenya’s healthcare system is already fragile.
