CS Duale Gives Sweeping Orders To Hospitals After KNH Ward Murder

Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale on Monday, July 28, visited Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and announced a raft of immediate measures aimed at strengthening patient safety, institutional accountability, and quality of care in all national referral hospitals.

The move comes in the wake of a tragic incident at KNH on July 11 that resulted in the death of a young Kenyan and sparked national outrage over patient welfare and hospital security.

Addressing the media during a press briefing at KNH, CS Duale said he had convened an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all national referral facilities to identify systemic gaps and chart a path for urgent reforms designed to restore public trust in the country’s health institutions.

“As a Ministry, we have a duty to safeguard the lives, rights, and dignity of all patients. We are committed to ensuring that such a tragedy does not happen again,” said CS Duale.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale walking within Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Monday, July 28, 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. /MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Among the immediate measures announced is the enforcement of tighter access controls across referral hospitals. Effective immediately, only two visitors per patient will be permitted, and all visitors will be subject to mandatory screening at entry points. The move, CS Duale noted, is aimed at enhancing safety, order, and accountability within hospital premises.

The Ministry will also implement a comprehensive quality assurance protocol across all national referral hospitals, which will include:

1. Regular patient safety rounds
2. Strengthened mechanisms for lodging and resolving complaints
3. Anonymous feedback channels for patients and staff
4. Continuous training for healthcare workers on patient rights and safety standards

CS Duale further directed public hospitals to partner with the Ministry of Interior, local chiefs, and community leaders to better support patients who have been abandoned in facilities. These partnerships will focus on tracing next of kin, facilitating dignified discharges, and, where reintegration is not viable, placing patients in appropriate care institutions.

“These efforts are about restoring dignity in care and reinforcing accountability. Every patient deserves to be treated with compassion, professionalism, and respect,” he added.

The briefing was attended by the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, along with the CEOs of various national referral hospitals, including Dr. William Sigilai (KNH), Dr. Richard Lesiyampe (JOOTRH), Dr. Zainab Gura (KUTRRH), Dr. Peter Muiruri (MKTRH), Dr. Nderi Lawrence (MNTRH), Dr. Philip Kirwa (MTRH), and Dr. Shikuku Kibet (SITRH).

CS Duale reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuous improvement in healthcare delivery, emphasising that patient safety and public confidence remain top national priorities.

On Thursday, July 17, a male patient, Edward Maingi Ndegwa, who had been admitted to Ward 7B at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on July 11, was found murdered under unclear circumstances. KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. William Sigilai confirmed the incident in a statement issued shortly after, noting that the patient’s body was discovered at around 2:00 p.m., shortly after visiting hours.

According to preliminary accounts, a nurse had attended to the patient at approximately 11:30 a.m. for a routine blood pressure check. A family member reportedly visited an hour later and found him in stable condition before departing at 1:30 p.m.

Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched swift inquiries that led to the arrest of a suspect—another patient at the facility. Investigators believe the suspect may also be linked to the earlier murder of 40-year-old Gilbert Kinyua, who was killed in Ward 7C during the night of February 6–7, 2025. The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.

Collage of Kennedy Kalombotole, the prime suspect behind the gruesome Kenyatta National Hospital ward murder on July 17, 2025. /DCI