Renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Job Obwaka, a long-serving director and former board chairman at The Nairobi Hospital, has died at the age of 83.
Dr Obwaka passed away on Friday evening, May 1, 2026, at the very facility where he dedicated decades to serving patients and shaping healthcare leadership. According to his wife, Everose Obwaka, the veteran doctor was rushed to the hospital unconscious and was pronounced dead on arrival around 7 p.m.
His death comes just weeks after a high-profile arrest that thrust him into the centre of intense leadership wrangles at one of Kenya’s premier private hospitals. In mid-March 2026, Dr Obwaka and other senior officials were detained amid allegations of falsifying membership records and conflict of interest linked to the hospital’s 2024 Annual General Meeting and ongoing ownership disputes.
The 83-year-old collapsed while appearing in court and had to receive emergency medical attention before being released on bond. Many in the medical fraternity and public expressed concern at the time over the stress placed on the elderly doctor amid the bitter boardroom battles.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr Obwaka earned widespread respect as a decorated specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology. He was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to maternal healthcare and played a pivotal role in the growth and governance of The Nairobi Hospital.
Tributes have begun pouring in from colleagues, patients, and leaders across the country, with many highlighting his immense contributions to Kenyan medicine and the countless lives he helped bring into the world.
His passing marks the end of an era for the medical community. While some have praised his lifelong service, others have pointed to the recent turmoil at the hospital as a possible factor that weighed heavily on his frail health.
Dr Obwaka is survived by his wife Everose and family. Details of his burial arrangements are expected to be announced soon.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
