Nairobi Hospital, one of Kenya’s premier private healthcare institutions, is grappling with a deepening crisis as a leadership power struggle and a standoff with insurance firms paralyze operations, leaving hundreds of patients stranded.

The dispute, marked by boardroom wrangles and conflicting claims of authority, coincides with the withdrawal of coverage by more than ten major insurance providers following a disputed rate review.

A spot check across four of the hospital’s five satellite centers, including Galleria in Karen, Warwick Outpatient Centre in Runda, Roselyne Riviera, and the main headquarters on Agwings Kodhek Road, revealed near-empty corridors, skeletal staff, and sharply reduced patient traffic.

The fallout has been severe. Expectant mothers close to delivery are being forced to pay out of pocket or transfer to other facilities, while cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy face treatment delays or crippling costs. Outpatients have been turned away at billing desks, with some resorting to borrowing money for follow-up care.

Although the hospital has temporarily lowered its rates in a bid to end the standoff, insurers remain unmoved, maintaining coverage suspensions and redirecting clients to other facilities.

Medics inside the hospital are reportedly advising patients, especially those scheduled for surgeries or deliveries, to seek treatment elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the leadership battle has intensified, with two rival factions claiming control of the board. Letters from Dr. Barcley Onyambu and Herman Manyora each assert authority as board chair.

Manyora accuses CEO Felix Osano and company secretary Gilbert Nyamweya of unilaterally raising charges by up to 61% without board approval, while Onyambu dismisses Manyora’s legitimacy and accuses him of corruption.

With negotiations between the hospital and insurers stalled, and the boardroom fight now in court, patients, staff, and stakeholders remain in limbo, uncertain when, or if, normal operations will resume.