By Nyang’au Araka
Two major medical bodies have demanded clarity from authorities following the arrest of veteran obstetrician and gynaecologist Job Obwaka, a director at the Kenya Hospital Association, which runs The Nairobi Hospital.
In a statement, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) said the 83-year-old doctor was arrested under what it termed “unclear and disturbing circumstances.”
According to KMPDU Secretary General Davji Bhimji Atellah, Dr. Obwaka was arrested at his parking bay at the NSSF Building in Nairobi, where his clinic is located, before being transferred to Muthaiga Police Station where he is currently being held.
The union said the medic is accused of falsifying the register of members of the Kenya Hospital Association.
However, it questioned the basis of the allegations, noting that the function falls under the mandate of the company secretary and that Dr. Obwaka was reportedly not present when the alleged irregularities occurred.
“KMPDU stands firmly with Dr. Job Obwaka and demands that he be treated with dignity, fairness, and full respect for his constitutional rights,” the union said.
The doctors’ union called on authorities to immediately clarify the circumstances surrounding his arrest, ensure due legal process is followed including the granting of bail, and conduct any investigations transparently.
“KMPDU will closely monitor this matter and will not hesitate to take all lawful measures necessary to protect the rights and dignity of our members,” Atellah added.
Separately, the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) also weighed in, saying it had visited the detained doctor.
KMA President Nelson Ouma said he visited Dr. Obwaka at Muthaiga Police Station on Sunday afternoon to seek clarification on the arrest and the identity of the complainant.
Ouma claimed the arrest could be linked to attempts by some individuals to gain control of the board of the Kenya Hospital Association.
“When someone wants to take control of the board, they threaten board members and put up trumped up charges on them,” he said.
Ouma said the Nairobi Hospital was established as a community hospital and warned against attempts to turn it into a privately controlled institution.
“We will resist all attempts to make this community hospital a private one,” he said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Nelson Havi said he would represent Dr. Obwaka should he be arraigned in court.
“I will appear in court on Monday for Dr Job Obwaka should he be arraigned on the alleged trumped up charges by land grabbers in government,” Havi said, urging lawyers to attend the proceedings.
Doctors have also been called upon to attend proceedings at Milimani Law Courts in solidarity with their colleague as the matter unfolds.