Gachagua claims Ruto plotting Nairobi Hospital takeover
By Kenneth Mwenda, March 15, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of attempting to take control of Nairobi Hospital, describing it as part of a broader pattern of business interference.
Speaking on Sunday, March 15, during the interdenominational Church service at Kirathani Grounds in Ithanga Gatanga Constituency, Murang’a County, Gachagua said Ruto had expanded into multiple sectors, targeting both public and private businesses.
“Huyu sasa, amenyang’anya wanabiashara wote biashara Kenya. Ako kwa kila sector ya biashara. Ameingia manufacturing, ako na kampuni mbili manufacturing steel. Amenunua kampuni ya cement. Amenunua kampuni ya tiles. Na ndio ameweka very heavy tax on imported tiles, ndio kampuni yake iuze tiles Jamhuri yote ya Kenya,” he said.
According to Gachagua, Ruto’s business moves have affected the construction industry and affordable housing.
“Chuma, simiti na tiles, ndio anasukumia sisi affordable housing kwa sababu ndio anauza chuma na simiti na tiles.”
Targets Nairobi Hospital
Gachagua claimed Ruto had now moved into the medical sector.
“Ametoka hapo ameingilia medical business. Saa hii anataka kuchukua Nairobi Hospital. Ile hospitali ya kifahari,” he claimed.
“Jana all the board members wamekamatwa. Wamekuwa wakisukumwa wabadilishe sheria ndio Kasongo achukue Nairobi Hospital, wakakataa. So, polisi wametumika wamekuwa rounded up wote. Wamefungiwa different police stations; watashtakiwa kesho na mashtaka ya uongo, ndio walazimishwe wajiuzulu, waweke board mpya.”
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) also strongly criticised the arrest and detention of Job Obwaka, an 83-year-old obstetrician and gynaecologist on the hospital board. “An injury to one doctor is an injury to all,” said KMPDU Secretary General Davji Bhimji Atellah.
Gachagua said Ruto’s influence extended to insurance, education, hospitality, and banking.
“Ameingia biashara ya insurance. Police insurance scheme, ni yake. Ile insurance scheme ya civil servants ni yake. Ametoka hapo ameingia kwa mambo ya masomo. Anajenga University in Eldoret. Aliingilia mambo ya fuliza, fuliza ni yake. Alichukua kutoka Safaricom. Ametoka hapo amechukua e-citizen. Ako na 80 per cent share ya e-citizen,” he said.
Gachagua also criticised Ruto’s control of hotels and conference centres, claiming profits from government projects were being directed to Ruto’s businesses.
“Kule Maasai Mara ata amefunga mto, ile wanyama wanapitia. Kazi yote ya conferences and seminars ya serikali, inapelekwa hoteli yake ya Weston,” he said.
“Ametoka hapo, ameingilia mambo ya banking. Amenunua bank ambayo pesa yote ya affordable housing, pesa ya SHA, ametoa hiyo pesa yote kwa mabenki ya serikali ameweka kwa hiyo bank. Hiyo bank every day inatengeneza faida ya 21 million.”