Nairobi – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has ordered an immediate nationwide audit of emergency systems and security procedures in all referral hospitals following the murder of two patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi on Monday, CS Duale called the killings “unacceptable” and confirmed that investigations are ongoing. “We cannot allow any institution meant to heal and save lives to become a place of fear,” Duale said.
The directive comes after two patients admitted to KNH under emergency circumstances were found murdered inside the facility. The incident has raised public concern over patient safety in government hospitals.
Health Cabinet Secretary Duale announced a series of reforms intended to prevent further security breaches. These include a directive to expand CCTV coverage in all sensitive hospital areas. “We’re improving CCTV coverage in hospitals to ensure all sensitive areas are covered for accountability,” he stated.
The Cabinet Secretary also said that all emergency departments will be required to upgrade their monitoring systems and implement stricter visitation policies. As part of new protocols, everyone including police officers bringing patients to emergency rooms must provide identification and vehicle registration details.
“We will ask all people, including the police who bring in sick patients, to leave their vehicle number plate and ID,” CS Duale said. He also introduced a plan to launch an anonymous call-monitoring system to improve hospital surveillance.
The Ministry of Health is also moving to standardize emergency response across national referral hospitals. CS Duale emphasized the need for “alert, professionally trained” security personnel and warned that negligence by hospital staff will not be tolerated. “Accountability goes hand in hand with intention. Where negligence is found, action shall be taken,” CS Duale said.
CS Duale extended condolences to the family of the murdered patient, identified only as Ndegwa, and reassured the public that the ministry is committed to restoring confidence in public health institutions. “Public trust has been shaken, but we are responding with urgency, clarity, and compassion,” he said.
CS Duale urged medical staff to uphold their ethical oath and treat all patients with urgency, dignity, and empathy. He added that his ministry will continue working with hospital administrators to ensure security upgrades are completed without delay.
The Ministry of Health is expected to release a full report on the emergency audit findings in the coming weeks. The results will guide further reforms to reinforce patient safety across the country’s public health system.
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