The government has issued a tough directive requiring all national referral hospitals to submit detailed reports on their security and operational systems within seven days.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made the announcement on Monday, July 21, during a meeting with the chief executive officers of major public hospitals.

The urgent meeting came days after the gruesome murder of a 52-year-old male patient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Thursday, July 17, which reignited serious concerns about security in public health facilities.

The victim, who was reportedly disabled, was found dead in Ward Seven. The suspect in the incident fled the scene but has since been arrested and is in police custody.

In response, Duale reminded hospital bosses that they hold direct responsibility for ensuring the safety of both staff and patients. He directed all referral hospitals to submit audit reports detailing the security and management challenges they currently face, the actions already taken to address them, and any urgent interventions still required.

“These incidents represent systemic failures that have eroded public trust and exposed serious leadership and governance gaps,” Duale said while addressing the hospital CEOs at Afya House.

The CS proposed a series of reforms aimed at improving discipline among staff and fostering a healthier workplace culture. He also directed the institutions to create crisis communication plans that would help manage emergency situations effectively.

Duale further announced a planned collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior to strengthen security at referral hospitals.

According to the CS, the inter-agency partnership will improve rapid response in the face of threats like the recent murders at KNH.

He said, “Leadership at the facility level must actively drive these partnerships. While the Ministry remains committed to supporting referral hospitals, this support must be matched by accountability and clear, measurable progress.”

KNH has come under intense scrutiny following repeated security breaches. On February 7, a 39-year-old male patient was found dead in his bed with a slit throat, reportedly inflicted with a kitchen knife by an unknown person who gained access to Ward Seven.

KNH confirmed the July 17 death in a statement, saying the body was discovered in the afternoon by staff who found the patient lying in blood-soaked bedding under “unclear circumstances.”

The CS condemned the repeated security failures and called for immediate internal reviews covering emergency preparedness, patient protection, and staff behaviour.

“The CS urged immediate internal reviews of security, emergency preparedness, patient protection, and staff conduct, and requested detailed audit reports within seven days,” the Ministry stated.

Besides the incidents at KNH, attention has also turned to broader security issues affecting other health facilities.

Earlier in July, during the Saba Saba protests, intruders stormed Kitengela Hospital, interrupting ongoing medical procedures, including a caesarean section.

The attack sparked public outrage and prompted criticism from Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, who said the Sh50,000 bail granted to the suspects was too lenient.

Duale stressed the need for hospital leadership to show visible action and remain accountable to the public. He said trust in public healthcare would only be restored through stronger leadership and better systems.