NAIROBI, Kenya – The plea-taking of Kennedy Kalombotole, the prime suspect in the murder of two patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), has been postponed once again after his defence team disputed the mental assessment declaring him fit to stand trial.
The matter came up before Justice Diana Kavedza on Tuesday, where the prosecution confirmed that a report had been filed declaring Kalombotole mentally sound to proceed.
However, the defence challenged both the report’s substance and the qualifications of the doctor who authored it.
According to the defence, the assessment was reduced to “checkboxes” with no explanation of the examination period, methodology, or clinical observations that informed the conclusion.
“The report before us appears shallow. It merely ticks boxes without stating how long the accused was observed or what processes were followed to arrive at the conclusion,” the defence submitted, insisting that mental evaluations in criminal cases are not mere formalities but safeguards to ensure an accused can meaningfully participate in their trial.
They further told the court that officers who had interacted with Kalombotole in custody had raised concerns about his mental stability.
The prosecution, led by counsels Denis Maina and Gikui Gichuhi, dismissed the objections, arguing that the assessment was valid and sufficient.
“We need to cut through legalese and have this matter commence, for the rights of the victims,” Maina submitted, while Gichuhi added that the defence had failed to point out any specific concerns with the accused beyond dissatisfaction with the report.
Justice Kavedza, noting that she had not yet reviewed an appellate authority cited by the defence, deferred the plea to October 27.
“I will need time to come up with an elaborate ruling. I have not had occasion to look at the Court of Appeal ruling that has been relied on,” she said.
The adjournment means the trial, which has already faced multiple delays, is yet to formally begin. Kalombotole is accused of killing two patients at KNH under circumstances that remain under close public scrutiny.
