NAIROBI, Kenya – A man suspected of killing two patients inside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is finally behind bars, ending months of speculation and public concern over patient safety in one of the country’s largest referral hospitals.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that Kennedy Kalombotole, the prime suspect in the shocking murders, was arrested following the grisly death of Edward Maingi Ndegwa on July 17, 2025.
Ndegwa, who had been admitted to Ward 7B, Group C (Male) on July 11, was found dead just six days later under disturbing circumstances. A hospital cleaner, going about their routine checks on Thursday afternoon, stumbled upon a trail of blood that led investigators straight to a hidden scene of horror.
At exactly 2 p.m., Ndegwa’s lifeless body was discovered with visible injuries to his neck—marking the latest twist in what authorities now believe could be a pattern of violence within the hospital walls.
Kalombotole, who was admitted to the facility on December 1, 2024, is also the key suspect in a previous unsolved murder: that of Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni, who was killed in February this year inside Ward 7C.
At the time, the investigation stalled after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) requested additional inquiries to strengthen the case.
This time, however, police believe they have stronger evidence. According to the DCI, detectives responding to the latest crime scene found a pair of blood-stained blue slippers, a marked bedsheet, and a suspicious trail of footprints that led from Ndegwa’s bed to a nearby toilet—then straight into the room Kalombotole occupied.
The real smoking gun? A knife wrapped in gloves, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered from the suspect’s room and is now in the hands of forensic experts at the National Forensic Laboratory for full analysis.
Kalombotole is currently in police custody and is undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment.
The chilling case has sparked fresh conversations about hospital security protocols, particularly at KNH, where patient care is now under an uncomfortable spotlight. How could such acts happen in what’s supposed to be a place of healing?
Authorities are promising answers soon, but in the meantime, one thing is clear: what began as routine hospital admissions ended in bloodshed—and possibly, justice finally catching up with a suspected killer.
