NAIROBI, Kenya — Kennedy Kalombotole, a suspect implicated in two murders at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in February and July 2025, will be detained at Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi.
This decision was made during a case hearing on Thursday by Kibera Magistrate Daisy Mutai, who determined that Kalombotole’s medical condition precludes his detention in a police station. The suspect is reported to be suffering from a mental health condition.
“It is clear that the suspect is unwell. What I am gathering is that it is something that requires close monitoring,” stated Lady Justice Mutai.
Lawyers representing Kalombotole, who is also a suspect in a separate pending murder case, objected to his continued detention at Kilimani Police Station, suggesting either Mama Lucy or Mbagathi hospitals as more suitable alternatives.
The prosecution, however, raised concerns about relocating Kalombotole to KNH—the site of the alleged incidents—citing potential security risks to other patients and staff.
Officers from Kilimani Police Station informed the court of their inability to hold him further due to insufficient resources, including a lack of necessary medication, daily medical support, and specific dietary provisions essential for his condition.
Police characterized his case as a serious medical condition requiring close supervision, adding that Kalombotole had not eaten, and they lacked the means to enforce feeding.
Kalombotole stands accused of killing two fellow patients, including 38-year-old Edward Maingi, who was bedridden at the time after suffering a stroke.
A postmortem examination conducted at the Kenyatta Funeral Home confirmed that Maingi died from excessive bleeding caused by deep throat lacerations.
Mystery surrounds identity of suspect Kennedy Kalombotole
The State has admitted to being in the dark regarding the true identity of Kennedy Kalombotole, the prime suspect in two murders that occurred within the wards of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Kalombotole appeared before the Kibera Law Courts on Thursday as authorities continue to piece together details about the man arrested earlier this month following the brutal killings.
The two victims, Gilbert Kinyua and Edward Maingi Ndegwa, were murdered in February and July 2025, respectively.
Magistrate Daisy Mutai granted the prosecution’s request to detain Mr. Kalombotole for an additional 10 days at Mbagathi Hospital, under strict security.
The court highlighted that the suspect’s true identity remains unestablished, noting his lack of fixed abode, known relatives, or any identifying documentation.
The court ruled that releasing him at this stage would pose a security risk. It further rejected the option of detaining him at KNH, deeming it inappropriate given that it is the scene of the crimes.
Kalombotole will receive treatment while in custody at Mbagathi Hospital, with the OCS Kilimani directed to ensure his security.
Ward 7 murders investigation
Following the second murder, an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) Crime Scene Investigations Unit revealed bloodstains on slippers found under the bed of Mr. Kalombotole, who was also a KNH patient in Ward 7B. He was subsequently arrested.
KNH, in a statement by Dr. William Sigilai, clarified that Mr. Kalombotole had been a long-term patient, initially admitted to its Intensive Care Unit in November 2022 before being discharged to a general ward.
“Being a homeless person with no known relatives nor proven identity, he stayed on in the hospital even as the hospital made several attempts to identify him through fingerprint identification and also through our social media pages,” Dr. Sigilai stated.
The hospital further indicated that in June 2024, Kalombotole secured a home, but he was returned to KNH in December last year after falling ill, and remained there after his previous hosts declined to take him back.
