Fellow Nurses Africa News | 19 July, 2025
Shocking Kenyatta Hospital Murders: Suspect Arrested in Brutal Ward Killings, Nurses Demand Safety Reforms
The nursing community across Africa and the diaspora is reeling from a chilling tragedy at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where a patient, Kennedy Kalombotole, has been arrested as the prime suspect in the brutal murders of two fellow patients. The shocking incident has sparked widespread grief and urgent calls for enhanced hospital ward safety to protect vulnerable patients and healthcare workers across the continent.
On July 17, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Edward Maingi Ndegwa, admitted to Ward 7B on July 11, was found dead in blood-soaked beddings by a hospital cleaner. The ward nurse had last checked on him at 11:30 a.m., and a relative confirmed his stability at 12:30 p.m. before leaving at 1:30 p.m.
The gruesome discovery of blood pooling around Ndegwa’s neck prompted an immediate response from medical staff, who confirmed his death. Homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were swiftly called, leading to the arrest of Kalombotole, a patient admitted to KNH since December 1, 2024.
Investigations revealed a chilling trail of evidence: bloody slipper prints traced from Ndegwa’s bedside to a nearby toilet and into a side room where Kalombotole was admitted. Authorities recovered critical evidence, including a pair of blue slippers, a blood-stained bedsheet, and a knife wrapped in gloves found outside the 7th-floor window. These items have been sent to the National Forensic Laboratory for analysis, strengthening the case against the suspect.
Disturbingly, Kalombotole is also linked to the murder of Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni in Ward 7C on February 6-7, 2025. Although a case file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), further inquiries were ordered to bolster the prosecution. Identified as a homeless individual with no known relatives in Kenya, Kalombotole had been discharged and re-admitted multiple times, raising alarm about gaps in hospital patient screening processes.
KNH has activated its emergency protocol, notified Ndegwa’s next of kin, and is cooperating fully with the DCI and other agencies. A postmortem examination is scheduled to determine the exact cause of Ndegwa’s death. The hospital issued a statement expressing condolences and pledging support for the ongoing investigation.
For nurses across Africa and in the diaspora, this tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities in healthcare settings. The absence of alternative accommodation for Kalombotole prior to his January 2025 discharge highlights systemic gaps in patient management. Fellow Nurses Africa is calling for urgent reforms, including enhanced ward surveillance, stricter patient screening protocols, and increased support for healthcare workers and patients.
“We stand in solidarity with KNH staff and the global nursing community during this heartbreaking time,” said a Fellow Nurses Africa spokesperson. “This incident is a wake-up call for hospital administrations across Africa to prioritize safety and protect those in their care.”
As investigations continue, Fellow Nurses Africa will provide updates on this developing story. The nursing community mourns the loss of Edward Maingi Ndegwa and Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni, demanding justice and systemic change to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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