Fresh twist as police detain woman over Dr Obwaka's death

The death of veteran gynaecologist Dr Job Obwaka has taken an unexpected turn following the detention of a woman believed to have been in close contact with him shortly before he passed away, even as colleagues, politicians and medical professionals across Kenya continued to pay tribute to his extraordinary career.

Statements of condolence have flowed from county governments, medical associations and former patients, with many recounting how Dr Obwaka's work at Nairobi Hospital touched lives across Kenya's social spectrum. The Kenya Medical Association described him as a defining voice in the push to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in a country where such indicators have historically lagged behind regional benchmarks.

Against that backdrop of mourning, investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations confirmed that a woman linked to Dr Obwaka's final hours remains in detention as detectives work to reconstruct the events preceding his death. Officials have provided few specifics, citing the integrity of an active investigation, but confirmed that a postmortem examination has been ordered to determine the precise cause of death.

Dr Obwaka, who served on Nairobi Hospital's board of directors and maintained an active clinical practice well into his eighties, was 83 at the time of his death. He trained at institutions both in Kenya and abroad before returning to build what colleagues describe as a career defined by patient-centred care and an enduring commitment to mentorship of younger specialists.

Kenyans on social media have largely urged restraint, pointing to the country's history of high-profile cases where premature public speculation complicated formal proceedings. The DCI has asked anyone with relevant information to come forward through official channels.