In the wake of two separate killings of patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the government has ordered all national referral hospitals to urgently strengthen their surveillance and security systems to protect patients and staff.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, during a visit to KNH on Monday, described the incidents as a troubling reflection of a broken system and outlined a series of new directives aimed at restoring public confidence in healthcare institutions and preventing future tragedies.

“What happened at Kenyatta Hospital is unacceptable,” said Duale. “It exposed systems vulnerabilities that must be addressed, and that’s why we are here.”

A key reform involves the immediate upgrade of CCTV systems in all referral hospitals, with a focus on sensitive areas such as emergency units and wards, to enable continuous monitoring and track patient movement.

“We are going to introduce in all our referrals, starting today, by making sure we have upscaled our CCTV coverage in all places, and more so in sensitive areas,” Duale said. “We must have some sort of traceability of the patients that come to our hospitals.”

Duale also directed that every individual bringing a patient to a referral facility—including police—must present identification and vehicle registration details, which will be recorded at the point of entry and by the staff receiving the patient.

“It will never be again where you drop a patient and you go away. No,” he said. “From the moment you enter the gate, we’ll record your vehicle, we’ll record your ID card, and you’ll record the same with the person receiving that patient.”

Duale offered his condolences to the family of Edward Maingi Ndegwa, one of the victims who was found murdered inside KNH on July 11.

“To the family of Edward, we’re sorry. The Ministry of Health extends its condolences to the Ndegwa family for such a sad ordeal,” he said.

The July killing of Ndegwa followed the February murder of another patient, Gilbert Kinyua, raising serious concerns about safety in the country’s top public hospital.

“That shows a system failure. I must address a humanitarian crisis,” said Duale, who termed the events as a wake-up call for urgent change.

He instructed all national referral hospitals to immediately carry out security audits and begin implementing additional reforms. These include strict visitor guidelines—allowing a maximum of two screened visitors per patient—anonymous call tracking, and tighter monitoring of patient spaces.

A new quality assurance framework will also be rolled out. It will include regular patient safety rounds, better handling of complaints, anonymous feedback channels for both patients and staff, and continuous training for healthcare workers on patient rights and safety procedures.

Duale also highlighted the plight of abandoned patients, revealing that 443 people remain in public hospitals despite having been discharged, either because they have no family support or cannot pay their bills.

“There are many abandoned patients in our hospitals. Some 443 patients are still in hospitals; some have no family to return to, while others face financial challenges,” he said.

In response, the Health Ministry has formed a rapid response team to trace and reunite these individuals with their families or, where necessary, place them in care homes.

“We are working to ensure we have a society that is compassionate enough to accept their kin back. 443 abandoned patients will be reconnected to their loved ones,” Duale said.

He acknowledged public mistrust of the healthcare system but urged Kenyans to support the reforms and give the ministry time to make hospitals safer.

“We understand that there is low confidence in our hospitals, but we urge you to be patient with us as we restore dignity. We still commit to protect the life and dignity of all patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, the man suspected of killing both Kinyua and Ndegwa—identified only as Kalombotole—remains in custody. Investigators believe he is linked to both murders after blood-stained slippers were found hidden beneath his bed in Ward 7B.

He has no known identity, family, or place of residence. Efforts by the hospital to trace his background through fingerprints and social media have failed.

During a court hearing last Thursday, prosecutors said they could not verify his identity. A magistrate ordered that he remain under tight security at Mbagathi Hospital for ten more days as he undergoes treatment for diabetes and convulsions. A request to return him to KNH was denied due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Hospital records show Kalombotole was admitted to KNH in November 2022. Although he later recovered, he remained under care as no relative came forward to claim him.

His defence team insists that his name is Kennedy and criticised the state for referring to him as stateless.

“To suggest he is an alien is insulting,” they said in court.