Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued a series of strict new directives to all national referral hospitals following the shocking murder of two patients inside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) wards this year.
During a press briefing at KNH on Monday, July 28, CS Duale announced that referral hospitals must now install mandatory CCTV surveillance, limit patient visitors to two, carry out regular safety checks, and screen all visitors before entry.
He said the measures are effective immediately and warned that facilities that fail to comply will face stern consequences.
“These steps are necessary. We must protect patients under our care and restore public trust in our hospitals,” said Duale.
The new rules follow the discovery that two patients Edward Maingi Ndegwa and Gilbert Kinyua were murdered months apart while receiving treatment at KNH.
Investigations suggest both deaths may have been carried out by the same suspect, who was also a patient at the time and has since been arrested.
Duale revealed that the Ministry had held an emergency meeting with chief executives of referral hospitals to identify safety gaps and chart urgent reforms.
Beyond tightening hospital security, the Ministry is also shifting focus to the plight of abandoned patients.
Duale directed hospitals to work closely with the Ministry of Interior, local chiefs, and community leaders to help trace families and organize dignified discharges for patients with no support system. For those who can’t be reintegrated into society, proper care institutions will be considered.
“Every patient deserves dignity and safety and we are not going to allow such tragedies to repeat again,” Duale said.
The most recent death happened on Thursday, July 17. Edward Ndegwa, who was a patient in Ward 7B, was found dead only hours after visitation. Hospital officials say he was seen alive at approximately 1:30pm, shortly after a routine nurse round and a visit from a relative.
KNH CEO Dr. William Sigilai confirmed the incident, and the hospital is cooperating fully with the investigations.
Police also suspect the suspect murdered Gilbert Kinyua in Ward 7C in February. The suspect has been detained as detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations conduct their probe.
