A lawyer representing Kennedy Kalombotole, the main suspect in the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) murder case, has raised alarm over his client’s worsening health, accusing Mbagathi Hospital of refusing to admit him in defiance of a court order.

According to lawyer Philip Maiyo, Kalombotole collapsed and began convulsing on Saturday night while at the hospital, yet the facility still refused to admit him.

“On Saturday around 8pm, Kalombotole collapsed and began convulsing at the hospital. Yet, even then, they declined to admit him,” Maiyo said on Monday.

He further explained that on Friday, Mbagathi Hospital had already ruled out admission, citing results from various medical tests. However, he said that no written medical report was issued.

“The court order is clear. Despite this, the hospital has refused to comply. On Saturday, we pressed again for admission, but the officer in charge declined,” he said.

Maiyo also claimed the medical team ignored recommendations from other health professionals who had called for urgent medical care for Kalombotole.

Instead, he said, hospital officials insisted that the patient could be managed at the casualty unit and then discharged.

“They claim their medical opinion supersedes the court order. This is not only incorrect but also dangerous,” Maiyo added.

Kalombotole is currently under armed police guard at the casualty ward. His lawyer says the only reason he remains there is because the police have declined to return him to custody.

Maiyo dismissed recent remarks by Mbagathi Hospital’s chief executive officer in a local television interview that Kalombotole had already been admitted.

“He is not admitted. Staff at the casualty insist that he should leave. He remains there because the police will not take him back,” he said.

The lawyer accused the hospital of choosing to protect its public image at the expense of professional responsibility, arguing that the suspect’s rights under Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees access to health care—were being violated.

“Kalombotole remains innocent until proven guilty. He has not been formally charged and deserves to be treated like any other Kenyan. If the hospital disagrees with the court order, they should apply for it to be varied, but only after complying,” said Maiyo.

Last week, a court directed that Kalombotole be detained for 10 days to allow for investigations into the murder of another patient at KNH, where he had been receiving treatment.