After the recent headlines of the embezzlement of funds meant for purchase PPEs at KEMSA , details are emerging of yet another similar unfolding this time affecting Kenya’s leading private hospital, the Nairobi Hospital. The Nairobi Hospital is a shillings 10billion per year, top tier luxury hospital that is patronised by the who is who in the country such as the late Mzee Moi and Tecla Muigai of the Keroche Family.

The siphoning of COVID 19 funds is thought to be masterminded by an influential member of the Hospital Board and a vocal sitting MP.

The allegations center around the relationship between the powerful Board Member and Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati. The former is said to take part in almost all tenders contracts in the hospital including pushing for specifically selected crony companies.

The calculating Board Member who is a former MP joined the Board in acrimonious circumstances in November 2019 was at one point implicated in a corruption case related to sale of non-existent land to an unsuspecting Kenyan. He is said to be at the center of these allegations with the tacit support of powerful elements within the Nairobi Hospital Board.

Powerful board elements are said to have a hand in all contracts at the hospital by pushing for the award of lucrative business to briefcase companies belonging to their allies.
A recent example involves the acquisition of PPEs for frontline hospital staff handling COVID19 patients as well as the construction of a 600 million shillings COVID Hospital. In both cases, the lucrative tenders were awarded to companies associated with cronies of the powerful cabal. An example, the 50 million shillings PPE tender was awarded to QPKA, a company owned by vocal Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati, a close ally of the former MP.

It doesnt come as a surprise though that , Dagoreti North MP Simba Arati whose company QPKA was registered early April this year, is also involved in the dirty dealings since at the time of awarding tender the company QPKA was less than two weeks old. Meaning the registration was initiated purposely for this mission.

A quick look at the the maths and you will realise if a single PPE goes for 8200 yet the hospital bought over 2000 in number on its first order , then it means alot was harvested.

Interestingly the intricate web goes further beyond purchase of goods into recruitment and dismal of key members of staff who refuse to “play ball”. The existence of Grand Thornton recruitment firm which was brought in to ensure its connection to certain board members with veto powers gives them leverage in all the recruitment processes. The machinations around recruitment of staff have resulted in a palace coup fought over the roles of the Director Human Resource leading to her resignation.

The said Director is said to have been so sidelined by the powerful forces on the Hospital Board in matters of hiring and firing of staff leaving her utterly clueless to HR ongoings at the prestigious Hospital. Former staff of the hospital have complained about nepotism and blatant harassment with disregard of professionalism in recruitment processes.

There are concerns that the same treatment of micromanagement has been dished out to other high ranking members of staff considered hostile.
Our reliable sources claim that the Chief Operating Officer was removed by the group in a huff after refusing to collaborate with them in their undoings of the board.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID 19 economic situation, the Nairobi Hospital continues to be attractive to key regional and global players such as the World Health Organisation and the United Nations as a healthcare provider.