Homicide detectives have spent a third consecutive day at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) investigating the brutal murder of 39-year-old patient Gilbert Kinyua. The probe, which began on Friday, is focused on unraveling the motive behind the chilling attack that took place in Ward 7B.
Kinyua, who had been admitted to KNH on December 11, 2024, due to a cerebral disorder, was found dead in his hospital bed on the morning of February 7. His throat had been slit, and a bloodstained kitchen knife was later discovered on the ground floor, having been thrown out of a nearby window. The horrifying crime has left his family devastated, with his wife, Susan Wanjiku, demanding answers. “We have been struggling, and I sell tea to feed our two children. We need to understand what happened,” she said.
Investigators have ordered the hospital management not to discharge patients who were in the wards adjacent to the crime scene. Authorities believe that someone who was in close proximity to Kinyua that night might hold crucial information. Detectives have already interrogated a patient who shared a ward with the deceased, but he claims to have no recollection of the events leading up to the murder.
The hospital’s nurses and security personnel have also been questioned as detectives analyze more CCTV footage from the facility. However, officials have revealed that some critical surveillance cameras were not functioning, potentially hampering the investigation. “The motive of this murder is key in unraveling the whole thing. As long as the motive is not clear, we will be in for a long probe,” one investigator noted.
A nurse on duty during the incident reported that during a routine check at 3 a.m., everything appeared normal. However, upon her return later, she discovered Kinyua’s lifeless body, blood splattered around the room. The gruesome scene has raised serious concerns about security at the country’s largest referral hospital.
KNH has since issued a statement expressing its sorrow over the incident and assured the public that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Acting CEO Dr. William Sigilai stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the patient’s family during this difficult time. The hospital remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all.”
As detectives reconstruct the crime and examine the collected evidence, the urgency to establish the motive and apprehend the perpetrator remains high. Meanwhile, Kinyua’s grieving family continues to seek justice, hoping for swift action from authorities.
