A senior officer at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has been charged with the theft of 56 Lenovo M10 tablets valued at Ksh3,655,680, in a case that has raised concerns over internal accountability within public health institutions.
The long-serving employee and Vice Chair of the KNH Staff Organization was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina at the Milimani Law Courts.
He faces charges of stealing by servant, a serious offense under Section 281 of Kenya’s Penal Code.
Theft at KNH
According to the charge sheet presented in court, the alleged theft occurred between October 18, 2023, and February 27, 2025, within the premises of KNH in Nairobi.
The tablets were procured by the Ministry of Health under the stewardship of Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, as part of a nationwide initiative to digitize healthcare services and improve patient management systems.
The official denied the charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh300,000, with the case scheduled for a mention for further directions on the hearing.
Internal Oversight Under Scrutiny
The supplies were delivered to KNH between October 2023 and February 2025.
According to investigators, the tablets were meant to be distributed across various departments to support electronic medical records and telemedicine services.
The theft was discovered during an internal audit conducted earlier this year.
The audit revealed discrepancies in inventory records, prompting a formal investigation by hospital management and law enforcement agencies.
His position as Vice Chair of the KNH Staff Organization has raised questions about internal checks and balances.
His long tenure and leadership role within the staff union have sparked concerns about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms at the hospital.
Sources within KNH indicated that the accused official had access to restricted storage areas and was involved in logistics coordination. Investigators believe he exploited his position to divert the tablets without detection.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been probing the case since March 2025. Surveillance footage, staff testimonies, and inventory logs are expected to form part of the prosecution’s evidence.
Hospital Management Responds
KNH management has pledged full cooperation with the investigation. In a brief statement, the hospital emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability.
“We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure justice is served. Any breach of trust within our institution will be dealt with firmly,” the statement read.
The hospital has also initiated a review of its asset management protocols.
Staff members have been directed to undergo refresher training on inventory handling and reporting procedures.
The official’s case will be mentioned again in court later this month. The prosecution is expected to present its evidence, including documentation from KNH and the Ministry of Health.
If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.
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The case is being closely watched by stakeholders in the health sector and anti-corruption bodies.
Tablet Initiative
Health CS Aden Duale launched a nationwide distribution of 74,000 digital devices, including tablets and computers, to public health facilities and frontline workers.
This rollout is part of the Ministry of Health’s strategy to implement the Social Health Authority (SHA) and digitize Kenya’s healthcare system under the
The devices are preloaded with health apps linked to the TaifaCare platform, enabling real-time data collection, treatment tracking, and patient referrals.
Citizens can now access their health records from anywhere in the country through a secure, unified platform.
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A national system is being rolled out to monitor the movement of medicines from manufacturers to patients, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Digitization has already led to the closure of 875 non-compliant facilities and the elimination of over 3 million fraudulent NHIF records.
The initiative is grounded in the Health Act of 2017, specifically Sections 104 and 105, which mandate the digitization of healthcare.
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