ELDORET, Kenya – Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) has announced sweeping new security measures, including mandatory screening of all visitors and tighter control over hospital access, in the wake of recent patient murders at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) that shocked the country and exposed widespread lapses in hospital security.
In a public notice issued on Thursday, MTRH said the enhanced protocols are part of a nationwide directive from the Ministry of Health aimed at safeguarding patients, staff, and the public.
“Effective August 1, each patient will only be allowed a maximum of two visitors at a time,” the Eldoret-based hospital said, adding that all visitors must undergo security screening at designated entry points.
New Visiting Hours
MTRH also revised its visiting schedule, limiting access to two daily one-hour sessions:
- Lunch Visit: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- Evening Visit: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
“We urge all visitors to adhere to the above guidelines,” the hospital said.
Nationwide Security Overhaul
The changes follow the murder of two patients at KNH, including a chilling July 11 incident in which a patient was fatally attacked in their hospital bed.
The case sparked nationwide outrage, prompting Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to call a crisis meeting with chief executives of all national referral hospitals.
“Following the tragic loss of a young Kenyan at KNH, I convened a crisis meeting to initiate urgent reforms and rebuild public trust in our health system,” Duale said in a statement.
Among the measures announced by the CS were:
- Mandatory visitor screening at all referral hospitals
- A strict two-visitor limit per patient
- Enhanced CCTV coverage in all public hospitals
Duale said the new protocols would apply to all national referral facilities, including KNH, MTRH, and others under the ministry’s jurisdiction.
Background: A System Under Scrutiny
The murder at KNH not only sparked investigations into security gaps but also raised questions about surveillance, staff accountability, and visitor tracking in the country’s largest medical institutions.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) linked a suspect, Kennedy Kalombotole, to the July 11 murder, but the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) was criticized for delays in taking legal action.
Meanwhile, health workers’ unions and patient advocacy groups have welcomed the government’s response but called for additional investments in hospital infrastructure and mental health screening.
