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Authorities in Kenya have launched a high-level investigation into the shocking murder of a patient inside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the country’s largest referral and teaching facility. The grisly killing, which took place in a ward meant for the critically ill, has raised concerns about hospital security and the safety of patients in medical institutions.
The victim, 39-year-old Gilbert Kinyua, was admitted to KNH on December 11, 2024, for treatment of a cerebral disorder. Just weeks later, his life came to a violent and unexpected end when he was found dead on his hospital bed with a slit throat. The attack, which occurred on the night of January 4, has left investigators scrambling for answers in an environment where such crimes are almost unheard of.
Hospital staff discovered Kinyua’s body at around 6 a.m. on Friday during routine morning rounds. Blood covered the bedding and floor, a chilling contrast to the clinical sterility of the ward. The previous night, at 3 a.m., a nurse had checked on the patients and found nothing unusual, making the timeline of the crime all the more perplexing.
A fellow patient in the ward, also receiving treatment for a cerebral condition, was unable to provide any information, leaving investigators with little to work with. The attack appeared calculated, yet no one had seen or heard anything suspicious.
Detectives from Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrived at the scene shortly after the alarm was raised. A key piece of evidence—a bloodstained kitchen knife—was found outside the ward, having been thrown from a window near the crime scene. The discovery suggested a possible attempt by the assailant to dispose of the weapon and escape undetected.
Authorities are now reviewing surveillance footage from the hospital in an effort to identify any suspicious movements. Staff members, patients from neighboring wards, and the victim’s family have been questioned, but so far, no clear suspect has emerged.
The murder has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s healthcare sector, highlighting vulnerabilities in hospital security systems. If an attack of this nature could occur in a major national referral hospital, questions arise about the safety of patients in smaller, less-equipped facilities.
In a statement, Kenyatta National Hospital expressed sorrow over the incident and pledged full cooperation with investigators. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the tragic death of a patient within our facility. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. The hospital is working closely with law enforcement and has launched an internal investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident,” the statement read.
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