Nairobi: Detectives Arrest Quack Doctor Attending To Patients In Kayole

• James Waweru was being investigated by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board over a complaint filed by a patient who was misdiagnosed with a liver disease
• The affected patient sought further medical attention at Nairobi West Hospital, where no tests pointed to any liver issues
• The board said the suspect had no proof of registration as a medical doctor and did not hold a business registration certificate

Nairobi - Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) have arrested an alleged fake doctor who was found attending to patients in Kayole, Nairobi County.

According to a statement released by the DCI, the suspect, identified as James Waweru, was arrested at his medical facility, Axis Medical Clinic and Lab Services, which detectives said is unregistered.

Kayole patient misdiagnosed with liver disease

The DCI added that the suspect was being investigated by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board over a complaint from an affected patient, who was misdiagnosed with a liver disease.

"In the filed complaint, the 31-year-old male victim indicated that between March 1 and March 27, 2024, Waweru charged him over KSh 60,000 for sample tests allegedly at laboratories in some of the country's renowned medical facilities, before "diagnosing" him with a liver disorder. Despite being given a prescription, the patient's condition deteriorated," DCI stated.

The investigation unit added that the misdiagnosis forced the patient to seek medical attention at Nairobi West Hospital, where no tests pointed to any liver issues.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board confirmed that the suspect had no proof of registration as a medical doctor and did not hold a business registration certificate.

" Launching investigations, detectives uncovered that the medical reports issued to the patient by the suspect purporting to be lab results from German Medical Centre, Jubaland Imaging Centre and Mater Hospital were all fake and falsified," DCI said.

The suspect was taken away by detectives from Kamukunji Police Station and is awaiting arraignment.

Malindi quack doctor nabbed

In March, detectives from Malindi arrested a fake doctor who was busted attending to patients inside a hospital ward.

Mecha Okechi was arrested at the Malindi Sub-County Hospital busy working just like trained doctors hired by the government.

The 36-year-old was spotted by members of the staff who reported to the hospital's management, who in return informed the police.

To curb such incidents, the Malindi hospital management stated it would issue identification badges to all the staffers and practitioners.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.