Kennedy Kalombotole, the prime suspect in two brutal murders at Kenyatta National Hospital, remains stranded at Mbagathi Hospital three days after a court ordered his admission for medical evaluation.
Despite the directive, Mbagathi Hospital says it cannot admit Kalombotole due to a lack of bed space and security concerns. The suspect, who was meant to undergo a 10-day medical observation, is instead handcuffed under guard in the hospital’s casualty and emergency wing.
“Our male medical wards are full,” confirmed Mbagathi CEO Dr. Alex Irungu. “While he is receiving attention in the emergency section, Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital would be more appropriate for his mental health assessment and the security his case requires.”
Kalombotole’s lawyer, Philip Maiyo, has accused the hospital of flouting the court order and neglecting his client’s urgent health needs. “The hospital has blatantly refused to admit him,” Maiyo said, adding that Kalombotole suffered a convulsion on Sunday night.
The suspect remains under tight security as emergency treatment continues, but the full medical evaluation mandated by the court is yet to begin.
Mbagathi Hospital now plans to seek legal relief. “We expect the County Attorney’s office to move to court to bring the matter back to the attention of the Honourable Court,” Dr. Irungu said. “We intend to advise the court on the merits of transferring the patient to Mathari and why Mbagathi is not the most suitable facility.”
As tensions mount, the standoff highlights the challenges of handling high-risk suspects with medical and mental health needs—raising fresh questions about Kenya’s capacity to balance justice, security, and healthcare in such sensitive cases.
