The Member of Parliament for Nyeri County, Hon. Rahab Mukami, has demanded a comprehensive statement from the government regarding the shocking murder of a patient, Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni, at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) earlier this year.
Raising the matter in the National Assembly, Hon. Mukami called for urgent updates on the status of investigations, actions being taken to apprehend the perpetrator, and the steps being implemented to improve security in public health facilities across the country.
Gruesome Killing Sparks Outrage
Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni was found murdered on 7th February 2025 in the Neurology Ward (Level 7B, male section, Group C, Cube Two) of Kenyatta National Hospital.
According to an official government statement, he sustained a deep throat cut, with beddings heavily soaked in blood.
The matter was immediately reported to Capitol Hill Police Station.
A joint team from the Homicide Investigation Bureau and the DCI forensic laboratory was dispatched to the scene.
Investigators noted blood trails from the deceased’s bed to that of a fellow patient, along with suspected blood stains on the patient’s open black crocks and fingernails.
A suspected murder weapon a blood-stained kitchen knife was later recovered on the rooftop of an adjacent building, in direct line of sight from the ward.
All physical evidence, including swabs from the floor, knife, and other items, were sent to the Government Chemist for forensic analysis.
Postmortem and toxicology reports were conducted, and preliminary DNA results released on 25th February confirmed that the blood on the knife and floor matched the deceased.
However, no foreign DNA was found under the fingernails of the suspect patient, and the forensic analysis is still ongoing.
Authorities confirmed that CCTV footage from the ward has been retrieved, and statements from nurses, security guards, cleaners, and fellow patients have been recorded.
Once the investigation concludes, the case file will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
Push for Justice and Security Reforms
Hon. Mukami pressed for accountability and swift justice, calling for the perpetrator to be arrested and prosecuted without delay.
The government assured Parliament that investigations were still active and that any individual found culpable would face prosecution in court.
Government Outlines New Hospital Security Measures
In response to growing safety concerns in healthcare facilities, the Ministry of Interior announced several measures to improve hospital security across the country:
- Healthcare institutions are being urged to draft and implement Safety and Security Regulations.
- Installation of CCTV surveillance systems and security scanners is underway in major facilities.
- Police presence has been increased in hospitals, and DCI investigations are being fast-tracked in this and similar cases.
- Citizens, staff, and patients are encouraged to report suspicious activities through the DCI’s toll-free hotline 0800 722 203, with assurances of confidentiality.
The tragic incident has sparked nationwide concern over patient safety in medical institutions and renewed calls for urgent reforms to ensure public hospitals remain sanctuaries of healing not crime scenes.
