Kalombotole Charged in KNH Patient Murder Case
Kennedy Kalombotole, the man accused of killing a patient at Kenyatta National Hospital, has finally taken a plea after months of delay caused by questions about his mental fitness.
Appearing before Justice Diana Kavedza at the High Court in Nairobi, he pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The court accepted the findings of a three-member psychiatric panel from Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital, which confirmed that he is fit to stand trial.
The charge states that Kalombotole murdered Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni on or about February 6 and 7, 2025, while the victim was admitted in Ward 7B of the hospital. He denied the allegation when the charge was read to him. The plea brings to an end a prolonged stalemate that had stalled the case for more than a year because of conflicting medical reports on his mental condition.
Earlier in the proceedings the court had considered sending the accused to South Africa for an independent psychiatric evaluation after local doctors could not agree. Instead, Justice Kavedza ordered a fresh assessment by a panel of three psychiatrists within the country. Their unanimous conclusion that Kalombotole is capable of understanding the proceedings cleared the way for the formal charge and plea.
The prosecution indicated it plans to call approximately twenty witnesses, including the pathologist who performed the post-mortem examination. The judge advised that the number be reduced to about sixteen so that the trial can move forward more efficiently. The hearing is now scheduled to open on October 26, 2026.
In additional directions, Justice Kavedza ordered prison authorities to provide the accused with a diabetic diet and ensure he continues receiving his prescribed medication while in custody. Both the prosecution and the defence were told to file submissions on his bail application, and counsel representing the victim’s family was invited to raise any relevant concerns as the matter proceeds.
