Puzzle of KNH patient whose throat was slit at night
The entrance to the Accident and Emergency unit at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- One patient told investigators that there was commotion in the ward around midnight.
- KNH management said the hospital was working alongside the police to unravel the murder.
Police in Kilimani are investigating the murder of a patient who was admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Gilbert Kinyua, 39, was found dead in his Ward 7B bed at KNH on Friday morning.
His throat had been slit, according to information provided to the police by hospital security.
A nurse, who was conducting a routine check on patients, discovered a blood-stained kitchen knife believed to be the murder weapon. The knife had been dropped onto the rooftop of the hospital’s first floor.
Kinyua had been admitted to the hospital on December 11.
Detectives from Kilimani Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) visited the scene and recovered the knife.
The investigators also questioned several patients about the events of the night of the murder.
One patient told investigators that there was commotion in the ward around midnight. However, none of the patients in the neighbouring ward saw the mystery attacker.
National Police Service Spokesperson Michael Muchiri said the department was on the case, with the Kilimani DCI officers having already taken charge.
A source familiar with the investigations told Nation that the DCI had yet to obtain CCTV footage to assist with inquiries, as the security cameras were not working at the time of the incident.
In a statement, KNH management confirmed the incident.
“The hospital is working closely with law enforcement authorities and has launched an internal investigation to determine the facts surrounding the incident,” Dr W.K. Sigilai, the hospital’s acting chief executive officer, said in the statement.
Dr Sigilai added, “KNH remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all.”
He emphasised that the safety and well-being of patients, staff, and visitors is the hospital’s utmost priority.
kamaina@ke.nationmedia.com