NAIROBI — The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is requesting the court to detain Kennedy Kalombotole for 21 more days in connection with the killings of two patients at Kenyatta National Hospital. Kalombotole appeared before the Kibera Law Courts on Monday as the prime suspect in the murders of Gilbert Kinyua and Edward Ndegwa, whose deaths occurred five months apart while under treatment at the hospital.
Kinyua was found dead in February. Ndegwa died last week under similar circumstances. Both deaths occurred inside the male ward at KNH, raising alarm over patient safety and internal hospital security. The court ordered medical reports from both Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Women’s Hospital where Kalombotole had previously received treatment—be presented by Thursday, July 24. The court will then decide whether to grant the DCI’s request.
KNH officials confirmed that Kalombotole had been admitted multiple times since 2022. He had no known family or home and was classified as a long-term homeless patient.
Authorities have not released the full details of the alleged killings, but investigators believe the deaths were not accidental. Detectives say they need more time to complete forensic assessments and gather witness statements from hospital staff.
No formal charges have been filed yet. The DCI says Kalombotole remains a person of interest as evidence is still under review.
The hospital has not commented publicly on security gaps, but internal sources say an internal audit is underway to evaluate how an admitted patient could be linked to two deaths inside a national referral facility.
The case has heightened concern over safety in public health institutions and raised questions about how mentally ill or vulnerable patients are monitored in shared wards.
The court is expected to rule on the DCI’s application later this week. Kalombotole remains in custody pending that decision.
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