Prime Suspect in Kenyatta Hospital Ward Murders Arrested
Kalombotole was nabbed following the shocking murder of 35-year-old Edward Maingi Ndegwa, who had been admitted to the hospital on July 11.
Homicide detectives have arrested Kennedy Kalombotole, the main suspect behind a string of mysterious murders inside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), including the latest brutal killing of a male patient in Ward 7B. Photo/DCI.
By Robert Assad
Homicide detectives have arrested Kennedy Kalombotole, the main suspect behind a string of mysterious murders inside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), including the latest brutal killing of a male patient in Ward 7B.
Kalombotole was nabbed following the shocking murder of 35-year-old Edward Maingi Ndegwa, who had been admitted to the hospital on July 11.
According to reports, Ndegwa appeared to be in stable condition earlier on July 17. A nurse had checked his vitals at 11:30 a.m., and a visiting relative confirmed he was well around 1:30 p.m.
But just thirty minutes later, a hospital cleaner was horrified to find blood pooling around Ndegwa’s neck. The disturbing discovery triggered an immediate investigation by detectives.
Upon combing through the crime scene, detectives followed bloody slipper prints leading from the victim’s bedside to a nearby toilet and finally to a side room — where Kalombotole was found admitted. In that room, police recovered a pair of blue slippers and a blood-stained bedsheet. A knife wrapped in gloves was also discovered directly beneath the 7th-floor window of the ward.
All the items have since been sent to the National Forensic Laboratory for thorough analysis to strengthen the murder case.
But this wasn’t the suspect’s first brush with violent crime inside the facility.
Kalombotole, admitted to KNH since December 1, 2024, is also the prime suspect in the earlier killing of Gilbert Kinyua Muthoni, 40, who was found murdered in Ward 7C during the night of February 6-7, 2025.
In that case, a file had been prepared and handed over to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), but further investigations were ordered to build a stronger case.
Kalombotole is now in custody as detectives finalize his processing ahead of arraignment.
The twin murder cases have raised serious concerns about patient safety and security inside one of Kenya’s largest public hospitals. Authorities are expected to issue new safety protocols in the coming days as investigations continue.
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