The Nairobi Hospital has suspended the implementation of newly hiked medical charges to allow negotiations with insurance companies and other stakeholders.
Board Chairman Dr. Barcley Onyambu stated that the decision was made following concerns raised by patients and insurers over the revised tariffs, which had sparked fears of reduced access to healthcare.
He confirmed that the institution would continue operating under the previous rates, which have been in place for the past two years, until a new agreement is reached.
“This is our plea as an institution. We want to make healthcare accessible, especially when we have promised people that it will remain within reach. As we speak, we only have the rates that we had prior to the adjustment. Those are the rates now applicable,” Dr. Onyambu said.
He explained that a memorandum of understanding with insurers will provide a framework for further consultations on pricing, with the hospital emphasising its commitment to delivering high quality care without burdening patients.
The suspension is expected to ease tensions between the hospital, insurers and patients, many of whom had expressed fears that higher fees would lock them out of essential medical services.
Ogniamu stressed that the hospital’s priority is to ensure that medical care remains affordable. “Anybody coming to our facility will find no new rates. We are still applying the rates that patients have been enjoying for the last two years,” he added.
Talks with insurance firms are set to continue over the coming weeks, with stakeholders hopeful of a resolution that balances sustainability for the hospital with affordability for patients.
The Nairobi Hospital has long been regarded as a premier referral centre in East Africa, but recent months have been marked by deep internal turmoil.
Separately, the High Court is hearing a contempt application against ousted KHA chairperson Dr Barcley Onyambu, chief executive officer Felix Osano, and company secretary Gilbert Nyamweya for allegedly defying a court order halting a board retreat in Naivasha.
Justice Nixon Sifuna ruled that the retreat, held on 3 and 4 July, directly contravened his order, rendering any resolutions from it illegal.
The order followed a boardroom coup in which Prof Herman Manyora replaced Dr Onyambu as chair.
The legal wrangles come amid a governance and operational crisis laid bare in a strongly-worded letter dated 9 August from Chairman Manyora to stakeholders.
In it, he accuses CEO Osano of unilaterally increasing patient charges by up to 61% without board approval, a move he says triggered service suspensions by more than eight major insurers, severely restricting patient access and tarnishing the hospital’s reputation.
Manyora’s letter also cites infrastructure failures, including a non-functional boiler that has left patients taking “French baths,” as well as the termination or lapse of senior staff contracts without due process.
He alleges top executives embarked on an unauthorized trip to China for equipment purchases the hospital cannot afford and the board had not sanctioned.
The chairman accuses both Osano and Nyamweya of “grossly disregarding the authority of the Board” and undermining stability amid ongoing legal proceedings.
He announced “decisive disciplinary action” against the two in compliance with court orders, pledging they would be held accountable for the “reputational harm” and “instability” caused.
