Lawyers representing Kennedy Kalombotole, the person of interest in the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) murder case, have rejected a psychiatric report declaring him fit to stand trial. The report, presented to Kibera High Court Judge Diana Kavedza on September 30, 2025, stated that Kalombotole is mentally fit and able to plead to the murder charges filed against him.
However, the defense team has expressed dissatisfaction with the report, pointing out its lack of detail regarding the evaluation process. The lawyers noted that the report did not specify when Kalombotole was available for the mental checkup and called for a more comprehensive evaluation to be conducted. They argued that the current report was insufficient and failed to meet the necessary standards.
During the court proceedings, the defense lawyers requested the court to order another psychiatric assessment before their client is required to plead to the charges. They insisted that the format and content of the report were inadequate, and they demanded further clarification on Kalombotole’s mental state.
On the other hand, the prosecutor representing the victims’ families, Denis Maina, opposed the defense’s objections. Maina emphasized that the victims also have rights and that the trial should proceed. He pointed out that the psychiatric report presented to the court clearly stated that Kalombotole is fit to stand trial. Maina argued that the defense had not provided specific grounds to challenge the report and requested that Kalombotole be required to take a plea.
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gikui Gichui echoed this stance, urging the court to move forward with the case. Gichui argued that the report, authored by a qualified doctor, was thorough and sufficient for determining Kalombotole’s mental fitness. She stated that there was no reason to delay the trial and called for plea taking to proceed, so the case could move toward scheduling a hearing.
Justice Kavedza, however, decided to defer the plea-taking process, citing the defense’s objections regarding the clarity of the mental health report. The case will proceed once the court reviews the defense’s concerns, and further steps are taken regarding Kalombotole’s mental fitness evaluation.
