Fresh details have emerged following a tragic incident at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) involving a male patient who was allegedly murdered inside one of the wards at the hospital where he had been admitted.
The hospital has come under scrutiny following claims of a security lapse on Friday, February 7, 2025, that allowed an unknown assailant to enter one of the wards and commit the murder.
According to preliminary reports, the attacker used a kitchen knife to murder 39-year-old Gilbert Kinyua, with the act allegedly taking place late in the wee hours of Friday.
Kinyua’s lifeless body was found lying on his bed with a slit-neck inside ward 7B in the morning.
The patient had been admitted to KNH on December 11, 2024, due to a cerebral disorder.
In the ward where Gilbert was admitted, another patient was seeking treatment for the same condition but could not explain anything about what transpired before and after the bizarre incident was reported.
A nurse who was on duty on the night of the incident told detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who have launched a probe into the incident, that she conducted a routine check within the ward at around 3 am, and that all was well.
Patient murdered at KNH
At 6a.m. on Friday morning when she returned to the ward where Kinyua was, she found his lifeless body lying cold on the bed with a slit neck and blood splattered all over the place.
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This prompted detectives from the homicide investigations bureau to be notified.
On arrival, the sleuths recovered a blood-stained kitchen knife that had been thrown onto the ground floor through the window near where the patient had been killed.
Seeking answers as to who committed the murder, the detectives spent time at the crime scene attempting a reconstruction as they retrieved CCTV footage from the areas surrounding the ward.
Patients in the neighboring wards, as well as the hospital’s management and the family of the deceased, have also been interrogated.
There was however little evidence recovered by the time of publishing.
Given the timing of the attack, the incident has raised serious questions, as visitors are not allowed into hospital wards in the evening hours.
Acting KNH Chief Executive Officer William Sigilai in a statement on Friday confirmed the incident and assured that officials are working closely with law enforcement authorities.
Sigilai said that an internal investigation has been launched to determine the facts surrounding the incident.
Statement by the Kenyatta National Hospital
“We are deeply saddened to confirm an incident involving the tragic death of a patient at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the patient’s family during this difficult time.The Hospital is working closely with law enforcement authorities and has launched an internal investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident.
Kenyatta National Hospital remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all.The safety and well-being of our patients, staff, and visitors are our utmost priority. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
According to information on KNH’s website, the Security and Safety Department (SSD) gathers information on security incidents occurring within the hospital from various divisions, departments, and units.
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These sources include members of individual staff, heads of departments, students, suppliers, volunteers, and members of the public.
Reporting of security incidents
Information can be provided to SSD in writing, by telephone or by directly presenting it to the SSD Offices located within Administration Block opposite the Risk and Internal Audit division, Security Reporting and Inquiries Office located on the 2nd floor of the Old Hospital Building or through the KNH Security and Safety Officers across the hospital.
Additionally, information on all security and safety incidents received by SSD undergoes rigorous process of analysis to determine existence of infractions and breaches.
Back in 2020, KNH was forced put in place measures to protect patients and prevent a repeat of the incidents that had resulted in national outrage.
The move came in the wake of a string of recent incidents that put the hospital in the spotlight including a surgery mix-up, a controversial caesarean section and allegations of sexual assault of new mothers levelled against mortuary attendants.
Notably, then acting CEO Thomas Mutie said the hospital was determined to solve its areas of weaknesses.
Among the changes the hospital has implemented are increased CCTV cameras and security officers within the facility, including deployment of National Youth Service (NYS) personnel.
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