Jayesh Saini, founder and CEO of Bliss Healthcare, is no stranger to controversy. Currently, he faces legal battles alongside senior Kenyan government officials over the alleged procurement of a KES 120 million spyware.

The case involves accusations of breaching a contract intended to acquire software for surveillance on Kenyan citizens, opposition figures, and to manage President William Ruto’s communications.

Early foundations

Saini’s entrepreneurial journey began with inspiration from his father, Dr. Umesh Saini, a pioneering medical practitioner and investor from India. Dr. Saini migrated to Kenya in the 1980s and established Nairobi West Hospital, Kenya’s first private hospital and a significant taxpayer. The younger Saini absorbed the nuances of medical entrepreneurship from his father, a foundation that shaped his future ventures.

Healthcare ventures

  1. Bliss Healthcare
    Founded in 2012, Bliss Healthcare is Kenya’s largest outpatient medical network, with over 65 centers in 37 counties. Serving 80,000 patients monthly and employing over 4,000 professionals, the network boasts advanced medical equipment, including CT scans, ultrasounds, X-rays, dental, and optical units.
  2. LifeCare Hospitals
    Established in 2017, LifeCare Hospitals operates multi-specialty facilities in Kenya and East Africa. From its flagship Level 5 Specialty Hospital to its network in Rwanda, Gabon, and Congo, LifeCare continues to expand. The group also plans to introduce outpatient centers, training institutes, and advanced tertiary care hospitals across the region.
  3. Medicross Limited
    This chain of medical centers offers a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnostics, physiotherapy, radiology, and dental care, through its 11 facilities nationwide.
  4. Dinlas Pharma EPZ Limited
    Valued at over $30 million, Dinlas Pharma focuses on supplying medical drugs across Africa. With a decade of experience, it partners with over 20 pharmacies, strengthening Saini’s influence in the pharmaceutical sector.
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Saini’s contributions to healthcare expansion earned him the Global Leaders Award 2023, recognizing his efforts in improving medical infrastructure in Kenya and East Africa.

Controversies and legal battles

Despite his achievements, Saini’s career has been mired in legal disputes and allegations:

  1. Spyware Allegations
    Saini is accused of collaborating with high-ranking officials in procuring spyware to monitor opposition activities and manage state communications, sparking a high-profile court case.
  2. Clinix Scandal (2012)
    Saini was implicated in the KES 4.2 billion NHIF civil servants medical cover scandal. His company, Clinix Healthcare, was accused of receiving KES 91.3 million for non-existent clinics, prompting parliamentary inquiries.
  3. COVID-19 Vaccine Controversy
    During the pandemic, Dinlas Pharma was involved in importing the Russian Sputnik V vaccine through questionable channels. The overpriced vaccines were linked to a broader scheme orchestrated by Emirati royal Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook al-Maktoum, who allegedly resold vaccines at inflated rates.
  4. Adani-JKIA Deal
    Activist Nelson Amenya accused Saini of orchestrating a shadowy deal involving Adani Airports Holdings’ planned 30-year takeover of JKIA. Allegations of bribery and secret meetings in Dubai surfaced, implicating former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
  5. KEMSA Scandal
    Gesto Pharmaceuticals Limited, another company associated with Saini, faced accusations of supplying fake drugs to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), further denting his reputation.
  6. Political Allegations
    Saini has been linked to claims of monopolizing medical equipment supply, as highlighted by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. “One Asian is supplying all medical equipment at the expense of Kenyan businesses,” Gachagua remarked.

While Saini’s ventures have undoubtedly reshaped Kenya’s healthcare landscape, his career remains dogged by allegations of corruption and opaque dealings. His name continues to appear in high-profile cases, from the NHIF scandal to the JKIA-Adani deal, cementing his reputation as a divisive figure in Kenya’s business and political arenas.

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Saini’s story is a complex tale of entrepreneurial ambition shadowed by legal disputes—a testament to the challenges of navigating success in a highly scrutinized industry.

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