Fresh controversy has erupted at Kenyatta National Hospital after health workers accused the facility of housing a murder suspect under questionable circumstances, despite concerns over the safety of patients and staff.
The dispute follows allegations that a man linked to two killings inside the hospital was not a genuine patient but a dangerous suspect who should never have remained in the public facility.Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako claimed the suspect had been treated as a patient despite posing a serious threat.
He alleged that hospital officials and the admitting doctor were aware of the risks involved but still allowed him to stay within the institution.
According to the union, the suspect was connected to the murder of Gilbert Kinyua and was later implicated in another killing at Ward 7B on July 11, 2025.
The matter has raised questions about how the suspect allegedly moved within the hospital without proper supervision.
Panyako argued that if the suspect was suffering from mental illness, he should have been transferred to Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital for psychiatric evaluation instead of being housed at KNH.
He described the incident as a major failure by the institution.
The concerns were echoed by Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union Secretary General Davji Atellah, who said hospitals are meant to provide treatment and not serve as holding centres for criminal suspects.
He maintained that responsibility lies with those who approved the arrangement.
A source within the hospital reportedly disclosed that the suspect had been placed in a special room following a request by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
However, the suspect allegedly left the room unnoticed before the fatal attack in Ward 7B.
Medical workers now say hospital management and security personnel should be held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the killings to occur.
The revelations come as the High Court ordered fresh psychiatric examinations for murder suspect Kennedy Kalombotole after conflicting medical reports emerged regarding his mental fitness to stand trial.
The court also indicated that if doctors at Mathari fail to agree on his condition, he could be referred to South Africa for further psychiatric assessment.