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KNH murder suspect Kalombotole unfit to stand trial, psychiatrist says
KNH murders suspect Kennedy Kalombotole appears before the Kibera Law Courts on July 24, 2025.
A psychiatrist in private practice who examined Kennedy Kalombotole, the man charged with killing two patients at Kenyatta National Hospitals (KNH), has declared the suspect mentally unfit to stand trial.
However, Kibera High Court Judge ordered that Mr Kalombotole remain in prison custody to await a third mental assessment report from KNH psychiatrists before his fate is determined. An earlier mental assessment had declared him fit to stand trial.
The third mental report is expected to be filed from KNH by December 17, 2025 when the case will be mentioned for further directions.
Trial Judge Diana Kavedza said in case KNH psychiatrists give a contradicting report, she will direct that a panel of four psychiatrists from Mathari Referral Mental Hospital be formed to examine Kalombotole and to give a fourth mental report.
In the first mental report from Mbagathi Hospital, Kalombotole was declared fit to stand trial. But defence lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with it then applied to be allowed to avail a private psychiatrist to examine him.
“Kalombotole was examined by Dr Fredrick Richard Owiti, an independent senior forensic psychiatrist consultant, who has said he is not fit to stand trial,” Lawyer Joshua Ombegi told the trial judge.
Kalombotole was examined early this month while at the Nairobi Remand and Allocation Centre as directed by the judge.
The lawyer said the report from Dr Owiti has been filed in court and a copy supplied to the prosecution. The judge also confirmed that the report has been filed in court.
The judge added that the KNH mental report on Kalombotole will determine the direction that the case will take.
The defence and victim’s lawyers have differed sharply on whether KNH was a suitable facility to evaluate the mental condition of the Kalombotole, who is suspected of killing a patient admitted at the facility.
“KNH is perhaps not the best institution to guide the court on the wellness of the accused, considering the offence was allegedly committed there,” the lawyer told the court.
The judge has noted that doctors at KNH were among the best-qualified specialists in the country and that questioning their impartiality without evidence would amount to undermining expert institutions.
Kalombotole faces a murder charge linking him to the killing of 54-year-old Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni, who was found dead at KNH’s Ward 7B on July 17, 2025.
Investigators allege that the attack took place shortly after visiting hours.
