Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale
has announced immediate reforms across all national referral hospitals
following the tragic incident at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on July 11,
2025.
In a crisis meeting attended by
chief executives of referral hospitals on Monday, Duale directed the implementation of
stricter security measures, including a two-visitor limit per patient and
mandatory screening at all hospital entry points.
“This follows concerns raised by
hospital leadership, underscoring a shared priority—patient safety is
non-negotiable,” he said.
As part of enhanced security
protocols, Duale said all individuals, including police officers, bringing
patients to hospitals, particularly to emergency units, must present
identification, which will be recorded.
“Going forward, no patient will be
admitted if dropped off by unidentified or anonymous persons,” he said.
“This policy is critical in
safeguarding both patients and healthcare staff, and in preventing cases of
abandonment, impersonation, or criminal activity within our health facilities.”
Duale also unveiled a nationwide
quality assurance protocol aimed at improving patient care.
The measures include regular patient
safety rounds, stronger complaint escalation systems, anonymous feedback tools and continuous staff training on patient rights and safety.
The CS added that hospitals will
strengthen security and surveillance by implementing tighter access controls
and expanding CCTV coverage to protect patients, staff, and visitors.
“At the same time, we are rolling
out a robust and comprehensive quality assurance protocol across all national
referral hospitals aimed at standardising care, enhancing accountability and
reinforcing public trust in our health system,” he said.
He warned that any confirmed cases
of negligence would result in decisive action.
“Additionally, hospitals will work
with the Ministry of Interior and community leaders to trace families of
abandoned patients, support dignified discharges, and place vulnerable
individuals in proper care,” Duale said.
“We must protect patient dignity and
ensure such a tragedy never recurs.”
Present at the meeting were Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and the CEOs of all national referral hospitals, including William Sigilai (KNH), Richard Lesiyampe (JOOTRH), Zainab Gura (KUTRRH), Peter Muiruri (MKTRH), Nderi Lawrence (MNTRH), Philip Kirwa (MTRH) and Shikuku Kibet (SITRH).
In the recent KNH murder, on July 17, 20245, a male patient, Edward Maingi Ndegwa was killed in Ward 7B.
KNH CEO William Sigilai confirmed that the patient was found dead after visiting hours, at around 2pm.
Initial reports indicate that a nurse checked on the patient at around 11:30am, then an hour later, a relative visited and found him stable before leaving the ward at 1:30pm.
Following the incident, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched a probe leading to the arrest of a suspect who was also a patient at the hospital.
The suspect is also believed to behind the murder of 40-year-old Gilbert Kinyua, who was killed in Ward 7C during the night of February 7, 2025.
The man, Kennedy Kalombotole, remains a mystery as authorities admit they have no clear knowledge of his true identity.
According to KNH, Kalombotole was first admitted in November 2022 and, having no known home or family, remained in the hospital's custody even after his recovery.
Efforts to identify him through fingerprint scans and social media campaigns have so far been unsuccessful.
The court case is ongoing.
