The health of Kennedy Kalombotole, the prime suspect in the killing of a patient at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), is rapidly deteriorating, according to his lawyer, Philip Maiyo.
Mr Maiyo claims that, despite a valid court order, Mbagathi Hospital has repeatedly refused to admit the suspect, instead providing inconclusive test results and failing to issue a comprehensive medical report.
“On Saturday at around 8pm, Kalombotole collapsed and began convulsing at the hospital. Yet even then, they declined to admit him,” Mr Maiyo told the Daily Nation on Monday.
He explained that, on Friday, Mbagathi Hospital had initially declared Kalombotole unfit for admission, citing several test results. However, Mr Maiyo said that no formal doctor's report had been provided, despite multiple doctors reportedly having observed the patient.
“The court order is clear. Despite this, the hospital has refused to comply. On Saturday, we pressed again for admission, but the officer in charge declined,” he said.
According to the lawyer, even when contacted by phone, the Medical Superintendent refused to authorise admission, stating that the hospital did not consider Kalombotole a candidate for inpatient care, even after witnessing the severity of his medical episode.
The lawyer also alleged that the medical team ignored advice from the attending doctors, who had recommended immediate care. Instead, the hospital administrators insisted that Kalombotole be managed in the casualty unit and then discharged, a decision which the lawyer said blatantly undermines the authority of the court.
“They claim their medical opinion supersedes the court order. This is not only incorrect but also dangerous.”
Kalombotole is currently under armed police supervision in the casualty ward and was reportedly left at Mbagathi after the police declined to return him to custody, fearing that he might die in their care.
Contrary to public claims, Mr Maiyo dismissed the Mbagathi CEO's statements, made in a local TV interview, that the suspect had been admitted. “He is not admitted. Staff at the casualty insist he should leave. He remains there solely because the police will not take him back.”
Mr Maiyo accused the hospital of prioritising its reputation over medical ethics, adding that Kalombotole’s constitutional right to healthcare under Article 43 is being ignored.
“Kalombotole remains innocent until proven guilty. He has not been formally charged and deserves to be treated like any other Kenyan. If the hospital disagrees with the court order, they should apply for it to be varied—but only after complying,” he said.
Last week, a court ordered that Kalombotole be detained for 10 days while investigations into the murder case continue. He is accused of killing a fellow patient at KNH, where he had been receiving treatment.
