A Kibera court has ordered that Kennedy Kalombotole, the key suspect in the murder of a patient at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), be held at Mbagathi Hospital for 10 days under tight security. The directive was issued to ensure Kalombotole receives medical treatment while police finalize investigations into the suspicious death of Edward Maingi Ndegwa, who was found dead in Ward C of KNH on July 17, 2025.
The court emphasized that Kalombotole must be held securely to safeguard other patients and hospital staff. In addition, the court ruled that his legal representatives must be granted full access to him throughout his stay at Mbagathi.
A medical report tabled in court revealed that Kalombotole is undergoing insulin therapy to manage blood sugar levels and is also on medication for seizures and nausea. The report further indicated that he had previously been admitted to KNH in December 2024, but remained at the facility past his discharge date due to administrative delays.
Investigators requested a 21-day detention to carry out a series of tasks including forensic analysis, DNA sampling, mental health evaluations, fingerprint collection, and interviews with key witnesses. According to the investigative officer, the nature of the victim’s death was deeply troubling and remains unresolved, requiring thorough inquiry before any conclusions can be drawn.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) argued that releasing Kalombotole at this stage would not only compromise the investigation but also put his safety at risk, citing intense public anger and the grieving family’s emotional state.
On the other hand, Kalombotole’s defense team objected to the extended detention, arguing that their client was in poor health at the time of his arrest and had been previously discharged from hospital care. They demanded that the court compel investigators to produce medical records from both Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Women’s Hospital to validate his current health condition.
In response to the defense’s concerns, the court directed the DCI to submit the requested medical reports as part of the ongoing case file. Kalombotole’s case continues to draw significant public attention due to the bizarre nature of the murder within a public hospital and the growing concerns over patient safety.
