Police have arrested Kennedy Kalombotole, the main suspect in a fresh murder at Kenyatta National Hospital, raising renewed alarm over patient safety at the country’s largest referral facility.

The arrest follows the killing of Edward Maingi Ndegwa, a patient admitted to Ward 7B, Group C (Male), on July 11 and found dead in his hospital bed under disturbing circumstances on July 17, 2025.

The hospital confirmed the incident on Thursday, with Chief Executive Officer William Sigilai saying the patient was discovered lifeless at around 2 pm, shortly after visiting hours.

“Kenyatta National Hospital has confirmed an incident regarding the tragic death of a patient,” said Sigilai. He added that the beddings were soaked in blood.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the patient’s family during this difficult time. We will provide updates as more information is availed,” Sigilai added.

Detectives were immediately called in to investigate.

“Upon visiting the scene, detectives noticed bloody slippers prints from the victim’s bedside to a nearby toilet and eventually to a side room, where the suspect, Kalombotole, was admitted,” said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Inside Kalombotole’s room, detectives recovered a pair of blue slippers and a blood-stained bedsheet.

Outside, directly beneath the 7th-floor window of the deceased’s ward, a knife wrapped in gloves was also found. These items have been sent to the National Forensic Laboratory for further analysis.

DCI revealed that Kalombotole had been admitted at the hospital since December 1, 2024, and is also the prime suspect in the murder of Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni, 39, who was found dead in Ward 7C on February 7, 2025, with a slit throat.

A postmortem later showed the fatal neck wound was about three centimetres deep, and the body had blisters on the back, suggesting prolonged immobility.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that Kennedy Kalombotole was admitted to the facility on December 1, 2024, and is the prime suspect in the murder of Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni,” said the DCI.

Following the earlier incident, detectives interrogated a fellow patient who had shared the room with Gilbert, took DNA samples, and questioned nurses and security personnel.

Though CCTV footage from the corridor was retrieved, the hospital clarified that no cameras are installed inside the patient rooms due to privacy concerns. All available footage was handed over to authorities.

DCI said that after compiling the first case file, it was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), but more inquiries were required.

“After reviewing the file, the ODPP directed the Investigating Officer to undertake further inquiries to reinforce the prosecution’s case,” said the DCI.

The July 2025 murder also revives memories of an earlier killing at KNH in 2015, when Cosmas Mutunga Kenyatta, 42, was found murdered inside Ward 8C.

His body had been stabbed 42 times, one eye gouged out, his skull fractured, and his leg broken, in what investigators described as a brutal attack.

He had been admitted for cancer treatment and was murdered hours after his family visited and donated blood to support his care.

The recurrence of such killings inside the hospital has triggered fresh scrutiny of safety protocols, surveillance coverage, and overall patient protection at KNH. Kalombotole remains in custody and is undergoing processing pending arraignment.